How many of the NFL’s top wide receivers will the Jacksonville Jaguars’ secondary have to contend with during the 2025 season?

(This story was updated to correct a typo.)

How many of the NFL’s top wide receivers will this new-look Jacksonville Jaguars’ secondary have to contend with during the 2025 season?

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently constructed his ranking of the top 10 wide receivers in 2025 based on insights from NFL executives, coaches, and scouts.

Of the top 10 wide receivers in these rankings, the Jaguars are set to face three of them.

Ja’Marr Chase, CincinnatiNico Collins, Houston (Twice)Garrett Wilson, New York Jets

Outside of the top 10, there were wideouts who were named honorable mentions and those who received votes for the top 10. From this group, the Jaguars will face six of them.

Puka Nacua, LA RamsTee Higgins, CincinnatiDavante Adams, LA RamsLadd McConkey, LA ChargersJaxon Smith-Njigba, SeattleCalvin Ridley, Tennessee (Twice)

The Cincinnati Bengals and the LA Rams, both of whom the Jaguars will face this season, each have two wideouts who were mentioned in some capacity in these rankings.

Improved play in the secondary is a must for the Jaguars this season. In 2024, this unit ranked near the bottom of the NFL in interceptions, yards per pass attempt allowed, completion rate, and quarterback passer rating.

To remedy this, GM James Gladstone added veteran safety Eric Murray and veteran cornerback Jourdan Lewis in free agency to provide stability on the back end. As defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile described, both Murray and Lewis are “elite” communicators, and that is where steady play in the secondary begins.

“I think those guys are great communicators,” Campanile said during OTAs. “You really gain a ton when guys are good communicators on the back end, because to us, when you’re talking about the pillars of defense, that’s No. 1. Like communication leads to anticipation, and big plays are made with anticipation.

Campanile continued, “If I know it’s one of two things, I’m going to be super aggressive and I’m going to have the opportunity to seize the moment and make the play. That often happens with guys that are good communicators and guys that are focused. A veteran guy usually brings that to the table, but they’re elite in that regard.”

Along with Murray and Lewis, Gladstone, of course, also drafted Travis Hunter and then Caleb Ransaw in the third round.

Schematically under Campanile, we are going to see much more zone from the Jaguars, who will have a vision-based approach in the secondary. With an emphasis on having all eyes on the quarterback, that hopefully leads to more plays on the football.

I would also anticipate Campanile attempting to maximize the versatility he has in the secondary by disguising coverages and throwing different looks at quarterbacks to keep them off balance and guessing.

“It just feels good when you trust your eyes and trust your feet, technique and just all comes together,” Montaric Brown said, via the Florida Times Union. “It’s a wonderful feeling.”