JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent and seventh-year CB Darqueze Dennard (pronounced dar-KWEZ deh-NARD), the club announced today.
“We feel really good about his skill level to play outside,” said Head Coach Doug Marrone. “He’s a press corner and wants to play outside. He wants to prove that he can do it, and we believe that he can, so it was a good fit for us. D.J. Hayden is our starting nickel corner. I talked to D.J., and we’re extremely happy with him in that spot.”
Dennard, 5-11, 205, was originally drafted by Cincinnati in the first round (24th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. In his six seasons with the Bengals, he played in 77 games (24 starts) and registered 251 tackles (178 solo), 22 passes defensed, 3.0 sacks, three INTs and two forced fumbles.
In 2019, Dennard began the season on the Bengals’ PUP list before playing in nine games with five starts at nickel and outside CB and accumulating 37 tackles (25 solo) and five passes defensed. Dennard played in all 16 games for the first time in his career in 2017 and finished second on the team with 83 tackles, while leading the team with two INTs and leading the secondary with 2.0 sacks.
The Dry Branch, Ga. native played four seasons (2010-13) at Michigan State, playing in 44 games with 40 starts and totaling 167 tackles, 30 passes defensed, 10 INTs and three forced fumbles. As a senior in 2013, Dennard earned first-team All-American honors when he tallied 60 tackles, 10 passes defensed and four INTs. He attended Twiggs County (Jefferson, Ga.) High School and lettered in football, basketball and track.
