The Jaguars' top cornerback duo was nowhere to be found during Jacksonville's first organized team activities (OTAs) workout on Tuesday.
Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye decided to pass on attending the first of the team's 10 voluntary workouts prior to mandatory minicamp in June.
The duo became the best cornerback tandem in the league last season, producing a combined 119 tackles, 35 pass breakups and 10 interceptions. Both players were voted to the Pro Bowl and Ramsey was named a first-team All-Pro. Bouye received second-team All-Pro honors.
Outside of the absence of two of the team's best players, the duo's decision to skip out on workouts isn't all that alarming.
Ramsey wouldn't be wise to skip out on workouts beyond the voluntary period, as he isn't eligible for a lucrative contract extension (read: raise) until next offseason. Bouye will be the second-highest paid cornerback in the league this season ($15.5 million), so holding out beyond OTAs would make little sense as he is being compensated very well.
While we don't know why the pair decided to skip the first workout, it is their contractual right to do so under the collective bargaining agreement. One could argue that their absence starts the workouts on the wrong foot but it also gives the Jaguars extra reps to evaluate their depth at the cornerback position, which is somewhat unsettled.
The Jaguars brought in veteran D.J. Hayden and undrafted rookies Dee Delaney, Quenton Meeks and Tre Herndon this offseason. Those four players will get extra opportunities to adjust to a new defense and new roles with Ramsey and Bouye missing out on workouts.
More News and Notes
- While Bouye and Ramsey were the only two members of the team who chose to skip the first OTAs session, the Jaguars were still without several players at the workout.
Running back T.J. Yeldon, fullback Tommy Bohanon, linebacker Myles Jack and defensive end Dawuane Smoot missed the workout in its entirety. Safety Tashaun Gipson and guard A.J. Cann left the workout after participating early on during install. Long snapper Carson Tinker (ACL) and defensive end Dante Fowler (unspecified) worked off to the side with trainers.
- It was a pretty strong day for wide receivers Rashad Greene and Keelan Cole. While Greene had a pass broken up in team drills by cornerback Jalen Myrick, he caught everything else, including an impressive diving grab and a catch off a deep ball toward the end of practice. Cole caught everything in sight during the workout. He made a pair of leaping grabs during the session.
- Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins looked very good as a receiver. He showed good hands throughout the session.
- A couple of rookies had strong moments during the workout. Sixth-round quarterback Tanner Lee hit undrafted wide receiver Allen Lazard on an impressive deep throw during the first set of team drills. Later on, second-round wide receiver DJ Chark beat safety Charlie Miller deep on a reception. Undrafted safety C.J. Reavis also picked off a pass during team drills.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.