Jaguars Free Agent Profile: Eric Berry

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Could the Jaguars target All-Pro safety Eric Berry in Free Agency?

By Jordan de Lugo

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On the surface, it would appear that the Jaguars chances of stealing Eric Berry away from the Chiefs are small, but the Chiefs have a ton of players to resign — Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, Sean Smith, and Jaye Howard just to name a few. With the Chiefs having so many decisions to be made it does seem possible that Eric Berry might not get the offer that he is looking for from the Chiefs and, in turn, test the waters in free agency. If he does opt to see what he can get on the open market, the Jaguars need to make a strong push to make Eric Berry the highest paid safety in the game.

​In 2016 Berry was the comeback player of the year in the NFL, after winning his battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma just a year ago. Not only did he show incredible fortitude by winning his battle with cancer and returning to the NFL, but he did it in spectacular fashion. Berry was easily one of the best safeties in football this year and will likely be the highest paid safety in the entire league entering the 2016 season.
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Throughout his career Eric Berry has been an elite safety to be sure. In his six year career, Berry has racked up 353 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 11 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 41 pass deflections and has scored 3 defensive touchdowns en route to four Pro Bowl selections. In 2016 alone Berry totaled 61 tackles, 12 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. According to Pro Football Focus, Berry was the sixth best safety in football this year as he earned high marks in coverage and run defense. He clearly is just as good, if not better, than he was prior to his battle with cancer. There is no question about Berry’s skill, he is nicknamed “the Fifth Dimension” for his incredible ability to diagnose plays and then react accordingly.

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Then there is the question of position. Many people considered Eric Berry a strong safety as he played around the line of scrimmage a lot in his early years, but lately he has shown the versatility to play well in coverage down the field and could very easily be the best free safety that the Jaguars have ever had. In terms of money, the Jaguars can afford a couple of really big contracts right now and still be able to resign their key young players when that time comes, so signing Berry really wouldn't be an issue for the Jags. What will be an issue for the Jags is prying him away from Kansas City. The Chiefs will likely make Berry priority number one this offseason, which could make for another Devin McCourty situation for Jags fans this off season. 

The bottom line is that if Eric Berry does decide to test free agency, the Jaguars should be quick to make the 27 year old free safety the highest paid safety in the game. He would change the look of the Jags defense immediately, adding a veteran presence, and a nasty style of football that Jaguars fans have been craving ever since Donovin Darius’ career with the Jaguars ended. Berry is a freak of nature who is just entering the prime of his career. If he is available in free agency, he should be one of the Jaguars top priorities.