After a rookie season that was cut short by a groin injury, second-year Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback C.J. Henderson will have many eyes watching him. As is the case with many rookies, there were highs and lows for the 2020 first-round selection, but the highs left fans optimistic though he played in just eight games.
After having a chance to talk to former Jags defensive back Will Blackmon in our last episode of “Bleav in the Jags,” it’s clear that Jags fans aren’t alone in their thoughts towards Henderson. The former Super Bowl XLVI champion, who knows Henderson, spoke highly of his demeanor and elaborated on a key he feels would elevate Henderson’s game.
“I actually got to spend a lot of time with C.J. in Texas because Deion Sanders had his camp there and invited me down there to coach where he had C.J. there as a guest.” Blackmon said. “So he and I got to talking and my prediction was for C.J. to actually go to Jacksonville.
I just loved his maturity as a player. He kind of reminded me [in terms of his demeanor] of like a Charles Woodson. Just his presence and how he is, obviously Charles was a different player. But I’d like for C.J., for himself, to do well. He just has to be around the right person and coach to succeed. That’s the biggest thing because a lot of guys disappear and a lot of people don’t realize it, but coaching is a huge factor.”
The point Blackmon made about Henderson’s maturity is an excellent one when reflecting on the 2020 season. This was displayed in his first, second, and eighth games where he shined and gave fans who were paying close attention optimism.
Week 1, against the Indianapolis Colts, Henderson acquired the second-highest grade (84.2) of any rookie from the 2020 draft class, according to Pro Football Focus. That came after he had five tackles, three pass breakups, and a pick against a player who the Jags often struggled against in Philip Rivers.
Afterward, in Week 2’s game against the Tennessee Titans, Henderson showed off his tackling ability by bringing Derrick Henry down in a few one-on-one situations. While he did give up a touchdown to Corey Davis, he remained poised through the game and made plays when the Titans came his way.
Henderson also had a notable week against the Green Bay Packers Week 10. He only allowed four catches out of six targets for 42 yards and also caused a fumble on star receiver Davante Adams. Instead of folding against a Hall-of-Famer in Aaron Rodgers, Henderson was a defensive standout at Lambeau Field, which ended up being his last game of the season due to his injury.
As for the coaching aspect of things, there was a staff change in Jacksonville with Urban Meyer taking over. He brought in one of his former college assistants, Chris Ash, as the Jags defensive backs and safeties coach, who is entering the NFL for the first time. However, with Ash coaching in the collegiate realm from 1997-2020, he should know how to relate to young players.
Another plus for Henderson could be the return of cornerbacks coach Tim Walton, who was with Henderson last year. He’s one of the members Meyer felt comfortable with retaining, and the familiarity between him and Henderson can only help.
Heading forward, it will be interesting to see if Henderson can build off his high moments as a rookie while learning from the lows. With the Jags having ample cap space, there will be improvements made in the trenches and within his group (the secondary), which should help him to take the step he’s proven to be capable of.
