CB RASHAAN MELVIN OPTS OUT OF 2020 SEASON

Rashaan Melvin (Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire)

The Jaguars had their third player opt-out on Thursday. 

BY JORDAN DE LUGO

---

Jaguars' CB Rashaan Melvin has informed the team that he will voluntarily opt-out of the 2020 NFL season. Melvin, who signed a one-year deal with the Jaguars this spring, will have his contract put on hold until 2021. 

From a football standpoint, this hurts the Jaguars' depth at cornerback. Melvin figured to either start on the outside opposite rookie CJ Henderson, or be the number one backup at outside cornerback. Now, CJ Henderson and third-year player Tre Herndon will easily slot into starting roles. DJ Hayden and rookie Josiah Scott are both talented but are much better suited to play on the inside. As the roster currently stands, Parry Nickerson, who was just activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, might be the next man up on the outside. The Jaguars' coaching staff and front office have spoken highly of Nickerson, but he's relatively untested at the NFL level. The Jaguars also have a plethora of undrafted free agents at the cornerback position who will now have a better chance to make the roster.

Melvin is the third Jaguars' player to opt-out. DT Al Woods and DE Lerentee McCray also opted out last week. The Jaguars will certainly have to adjust their plans heading into the season.

The deadline for players to opt-out is Thursday at 4 pm EST.

Follow Jordan on Twitter for all the latest Jaguars news and analysis.