The Jacksonville Jaguars’ secondary just continues to grow this week as the team selected another defensive back with the No. 157 overall selection of the 2020 NFL Draft. This time it was Auburn safety Daniel Thomas who got the call from Dave Caldwell and company to join what will be a newly revamped defense.
Thomas is coming off a 2019 season in which he started in 13 games and totaled 74 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and one pass breakup. In 2018, he started in the same amount of games and registered 74 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions (one was a pick-six), broke up three passes, and caused two fumbles.
Per NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, he was projected to be a sixth or seventh round pick and graded out to be a backup and special teamer on the NFL level.
Unheralded three-star recruit who was a late scholarship offer at Auburn, but became a consistent back-end contributor. He’s well-built and plays physical football, but he’s not necessarily a punisher. He has a good burst downhill into run support duties, but can be a little inconsistent with his angles. Thomas can cover tight ends and has some “big nickel” experience, but will be better off playing with his eyes forward in short zone or in the box. He has the size, explosiveness and special teams potential to compete for a roster spot as a backup strong safety.
Thomas will join a safety group that consists of Ronnie Harrison and Jarrod Wilson as the starters and Andrew Wingard, Josh Jones and Doug Middleton as reserves.