Left off 2025 CB rankings, can Jaguars' new-look defense be part of conversation in 2026?

In a new defensive scheme and with some offseason additions made at the cornerback position, can the Jacksonville Jaguars' performance in 2025 land them on ESPN's 2026 rankings?

With insights from NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has been compiling his ranking of the top 10 players at each position group. Among the top 10 list, the honorable mentions, and those who received votes, there were no Jaguars' cornerbacks mentioned.

For a pass defense that ranked near the bottom of the NFL in a number of key categories, like big plays allowed, ball production, and completion rate, this isn't too surprising.

Helping to elevate the play of this unit will be defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, who brings a zone-heavy scheme and a vision-based approach, which means all eyes are on the quarterback. This then hopefully results in more plays on the football.

Jaguars' cornerback Tyson Campbell has acclimated well to this new defense, with Liam Coen believing he can "excel" in this defensive system.

"I really am really, really fired up about everything he's done this offseason because he's competed so hard in the practices," Campanile said during minicamp. "He's fighting for every rep, whether it's at the top of the route, on the line of scrimmage, in the break area.

"He's just really trying to play with a lot of detail, and I think a lot of that shows up if you were to sit and watch his individual. He's competing his tail off in individual."

Montaric Brown has also performed well in the new defense.

"That's who he's been every day that I've been here," Anthony Campanile said of Brown's ball production. "And I can only go by what I see every day that I'm out here, he competes. He loves to compete.

"Same thing like Tyson, whether it's on the line of scrimmage, he's not afraid to challenge people. To challenge people at the top of the route and play with technique, but whatever he's gotta do to strain and make the play, he's been doing that, which is awesome. That's what we've been preaching and he's doing that every day."

GM James Gladstone also added Jourdan Lewis, who is an "elite" communicator and was one of the more productive nickel cornerbacks in the NFL last season. According to PFF, Lewis ranked eighth in yards per snap allowed, seventh in snaps per target, and eighth in snaps per reception.

And, of course, Gladstone also added Travis Hunter, who, as a player who also spends time at wide receiver, brings impressive ball skills to the secondary. On just 41 targets last season at Colorado, Hunter forced four interceptions and seven pass breakups.

Along with playing a lot more zone, Campanile's defense is also going to throw a variety of looks at opponents by varying coverages and using disguises to keep quarterbacks guessing.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars left off latest CB rankings by NFL execs, coaches