A.J. Bouye still has plenty to offer a new team if released by Jaguars

If Jacksonville decides to create cap space by cutting cornerback A.J. Bouye, the veteran would still have plenty to offer per Jags expert Alfie Crow.

It wasn’t so long ago that the Jacksonville Jaguars not only boasted the best cornerback tandem in the National Football League but that it also carried them oh-so-close to a Super Bowl appearance and an AFC Championship victory over the New England Patriots. Now it seems they’re on the verge of completely shedding the secondary’s skin in an effort to cut costs.

When the Jaguars signed cornerback A.J. Bouye away from the Houston Texans back in 2017, they were already the employers of one Jalen Ramsey, arguably the most talented all-around defensive back in the NFL today. Given that Ramsey was on his rookie contract, significant cap space was made for Bouye’s arrival and, together, the Jags took the Patriots to the mat in 2016. It looked as if the NFL’s next great defense had arrived and that the Jags would be a young defensive force for quite some time. It’s funny how quickly things change in the NFL.

These days, the AFC runs through Kansas City and the Jags are busy putting players out on the front lawn for yet another yard sale en route to a rebuilding effort. They’ve got nice pieces on both sides of the ball, but costs need to be reigned in, and Bouye’s contract is a fairly easy target to identify for potential release.

For those who haven’t been playing such close attention, what does this mean for Bouye’s stock? Will the Jags really cut him? If so, what does he have left in the tank? And why did the Jags bother to rip this secondary apart in the first place?

To get a better read on the entire situation, we spoke with Alfie Crow from Jaguars blog Big Cat Country to hear more about the Jags’ once-heralded cornerback tandem and what Bouye would have to add to a team like the Chiefs at this point.

Would love to know why the Jags would decide to move on from such a duo as Jalen Ramsey AND A.J. Bouye in the same stretch of time?

The Ramsey situation was a whole ordeal that has been brewing for a while. Everyone knew Ramsey not only wanted to get paid but also wanted to win. He clashed with EVP Tom Coughlin, who didn’t like his antics, and the team drug their feet paying him while handing out bad deals to other players, it just became untenable.

As far as Bouye it’s just a simple cap game, if they move on from him. He’s played well and was a good signing, but he’s not a true No. 1 corner the same way Ramsey was and his salary is getting to the bloated years.

What are the odds you’d place on Bouye being released by the Jags?

I’d say there’s a pretty good chance the Jags move on from Bouye and target corner in the draft. The team really likes Tre Herndon and some think he played better than Bouye in 2019, however it’s also possible the team approaches him about restructuring. The team needs to clear some cap space though, so either way I doubt Bouye plays at his current figure.

Within what sort of defensive scheme is Bouye at his best?

Bouye is best where he’s playing more man coverage but not shadowing the best receiver. He’s good at sticking to his man, but he was best on the No. 2 receiver. I don’t think anyone should be signing Bouye with the intention of him being able to shut off half the field.