Montaric Brown Competes for Corner Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars

As the Jacksonville Jaguars trim their roster and finalize their secondary depth chart ahead of the 2025 regular season, one of the most compelling battles has been at cornerback—where third-year player Montaric Brown is fighting to secure a key role in a unit stacked with talent. Montaric Brown Competes for Corner Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars tells the story of a player who has shown flashes of potential (19 tackles, 3 pass breakups in 2024) but now faces stiffer competition from veterans like Jourdan Lewis and young rookies like Jaylen Ramsey Jr. At 6’0”, 195 pounds, Brown brings a blend of physicality (he excels at press coverage) and ball skills (he recorded 2 interceptions in his rookie season) that aligns with defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile’s aggressive scheme. For the Jaguars, who aim to shut down AFC passing offenses led by quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, Brown’s ability to win his position battle could mean the difference between a thin secondary and a deep, versatile group capable of handling any receiver. Montaric Brown Competes for Corner Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars also highlights the Jaguars’ culture of competition, where every roster spot is earned—not given—and even returning players must prove themselves each year. This article explores Brown’s journey, his strengths as a cornerback, and how he’s fighting to make his mark in Jacksonville’s secondary.

Montaric Brown Competes for Corner Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars began with a critical off-season for the young cornerback. Selected by the Jaguars in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Arkansas, Brown spent his first two seasons as a rotational player, seeing most of his snaps on special teams and in sub-packages. While he showed promise—his 2023 interception against the Tennessee Titans helped seal a division-clinching win—he struggled with consistency, allowing a 63tch rate when targeted and missing time in 2024 with a hamstring injury. Determined to move up the depth chart, Brown spent the 2025 off-season refining his craft: he worked with secondary coach Deshea Townsend to improve his footwork in press coverage, studied film of elite corners like Jalen Ramsey to learn how to anticipate routes, and added 5 pounds of muscle to better handle physical receivers. The effort was evident from the first day of training camp: Brown won 7 of his first 10 one-on-one drills against Jaguars receivers, using his long arms to disrupt routes and his quick reflexes to break up passes. “Montaric came into camp with a chip on his shoulder, and it shows,” Townsend said during a post-practice interview. “He’s more focused, more consistent, and he’s playing with the kind of confidence you need to be a successful corner in this league. He’s making this competition really interesting.” As preseason began, Brown continued to stand out, recording a pass breakup in the Jaguars’ first game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and limiting Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans to just 2 catches for 18 yards in their head-to-head matchups.

Montaric Brown Competes for Corner Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars also shines a light on his unique fit in Campanile’s defensive scheme, which emphasizes press coverage and aggressive ball hawking. Unlike some corners who rely on speed to trail receivers, Brown thrives at the line of scrimmage, using his physicality to jam receivers and disrupt their timing with quarterbacks. This skill is particularly valuable in Campanile’s “press-man” packages, where corners are tasked with shutting down their assignments one-on-one, freeing up safeties to blitz or drop into deep coverage. Brown’s ability to win in press coverage was on full display during a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins: he lined up against Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill, jamming him at the line and forcing an incomplete pass on a deep route. Later in the practice, he intercepted Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after reading a slant route and stepping in front of the receiver—an example of his improved anticipation. “Montaric’s press coverage is a weapon for us,” Campanile said. “When he’s playing at his best, he can neutralize top receivers, which lets us be more aggressive elsewhere on defense. That’s exactly what we need from our corners.” Brown’s ball skills also make him a threat in zone coverage, where he has a knack for reading quarterbacks and jumping routes—a trait that has led to 4 pass breakups in preseason alone. For Brown, the scheme is a perfect match for his strengths: “Coach Campanile lets us play fast and physical, which is how I like to play. I don’t want to sit back and wait for receivers—I want to attack them at the line and make plays on the ball. This scheme lets me do that.”

Montaric Brown Competes for Corner Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars underscores the Jacksonville Jaguars’ focus on secondary depth—a priority that has become even more critical as they prepare to face some of the NFL’s top passing offenses. Last season, the Jaguars’ secondary struggled when injuries struck, allowing 28 points per game in the three contests where starting corner Tyson Campbell missed time. This year, with Brown competing for a spot alongside Campbell, Darious Williams, Jourdan Lewis, and Jaylen Ramsey Jr., the Jaguars aim to build a unit where no single injury derails their defense. Brown’s versatility is key to this depth: he can play both outside corner and nickel corner, allowing the Jaguars to shift personnel without sacrificing performance. During a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, Brown lined up at nickel corner in the first half (recording a tackle for loss) and shifted to outside corner in the second half (breaking up a deep pass to Falcons receiver Drake London). “Depth in the secondary isn’t just about having extra bodies—it’s about having players who can play multiple positions and perform at a high level,” said general manager Trent Baalke. “Montaric has shown he can do that. He’s not just competing for a spot—he’s competing to be a valuable contributor who can step in anywhere we need him.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ focus on secondary depth is even more important this season, as they face a schedule that includes the Kansas City Chiefs (who averaged 280 passing yards per game in 2024) and the Buffalo Bills (led by receiver Stefon Diggs). With Brown in the mix, the Jaguars can rotate corners to keep them fresh and match up with different types of receivers.

Montaric Brown Competes for Corner Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars also highlights the Jacksonville Jaguars’ commitment to developing draft picks—a core part of their roster-building strategy. Brown, a fifth-round pick, is exactly the kind of player the Jaguars hope to develop into a reliable contributor: he has the physical tools to succeed, but he needed time to adjust to the NFL’s speed and complexity. Over the past two seasons, the Jaguars’ coaching staff has invested in Brown’s growth, giving him reps in practice, providing one-on-one film sessions, and letting him learn from veterans like Campbell and Williams. This patience is starting to pay off, as Brown has emerged as a legitimate candidate for a rotational role. “We draft players because we believe in their potential, and we’re willing to put in the work to help them reach it,” said head coach Doug Pederson. “Montaric is a great example of that. He didn’t come in and start right away, but he kept working, kept learning, and now he’s putting himself in a position to help this team win. That’s what development is all about.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ commitment to developing draft picks has been a hallmark of their recent success—players like Campbell (a 2022 second-round pick) and safety Andre Cisco (a 2022 third-round pick) have grown into starters, and the team hopes Brown can follow that path. For Brown, the organization’s belief in him has been a driving force: “The Jaguars gave me a chance when a lot of teams didn’t. They’ve stuck with me through the ups and downs, and I’m determined to repay that trust. This competition isn’t just about making the roster—it’s about showing them they made the right choice drafting me.”

Montaric Brown Competes for Corner Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars concludes with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ goal of building a championship-caliber secondary—one that can go toe-to-toe with the best offenses in the NFL and help lead the team to a Super Bowl. For the Jaguars, every position battle matters, but none more so than the ones in the secondary, where a single mistake can lead to a game-winning touchdown. Brown’s fight for a corner spot is about more than just his own career—it’s about strengthening a unit that is critical to the team’s success. If he wins his battle, he’ll join a group that includes Campbell (a Pro Bowl-caliber outside corner), Lewis (a reliable slot corner), and Cisco (a ball-hawking safety)—a secondary with the potential to be one of the NFL’s best. “Our secondary has the talent to be elite, but it’s up to every player to earn their spot,” Campanile said as the regular season approached. “Montaric has shown he has what it takes, but he can’t let up. The competition doesn’t stop once the roster is set—it continues every week, every practice, every snap.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ goal of building a championship-caliber secondary is shared by Brown, who remains focused on improving every day. “I know how important this is,” Brown said. “This team has a chance to do something special, and I want to be part of it. Whether I’m starting, coming off the bench, or playing special teams, I’m going to give everything I have to help the Jaguars win. That’s my promise.” Montaric Brown Competes for Corner Spot with Jacksonville Jaguars isn’t just a story about a player fighting for a roster spot—it’s a testament to the Jaguars’ culture of competition, their commitment to development, and their belief in building a team that can compete for championships. As the regular season begins, all eyes will be on the Jaguars’ secondary, and Montaric Brown will be ready to prove he belongs.