Jacksonville Jaguars: Expectations for James Sample in 2016

As a rookie in 2015, James Sample was supposed to add some competition and tenacity to the Jacksonville Jaguars secondary. However, Sample missed most of 2015 due to injury. What will the expectations be for the safety in 2016?

May 28, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars safety James Sample (36) during OTAs at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

Three of the Jacksonville Jaguars first five picks in the 2015 NFL Draft were injured most of 2015. Those picks include Dante Fowler, who didn’t play a single snap, Rashad Greene, who missed seven games, and James Sample missed 12.

The Jaguars had drafted safety James Sample in the fourth round out of Louisville.

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Sample was supposed to be competition at the safety spots and potentially challenge for a starting role as a rookie. However, like fellow Jaguar rookie Dante Fowler, who tore his ACL on the first day of the team’s rookie mini-camp, Sample broke his forearm in mid-June during organized team activities (OTA’s).

Sample was sidelined close to ten weeks, and missed most of training camp and preseason. The former Louisville product was finally activated on August 17th.

Sample wound up starting for the injured Jonathan Cyprien on September 20th, in the Jaguars 23-20 win over the Miami Dolphins. He also played 44 snaps in the Jaguars 51-17 loss to the New England Patriots the following week.

The team’s next game, a 16-13 overtime loss against the Indianapolis Colts, would be Sample’s last of his rookie season.

Sample finished his inaugural campaign with 15 combined tackles and a pass deflection.

The Jaguars could have used Sample’s service much of last season. The Jaguars pass rush was poor, which gave receivers plenty of time to run around the Jaguars secondary. Safeties Jonathan Cyrpien, Sergio Brown, and Josh Evans showed a lack of coverage ability and terrible tackling.

My word, Sergio Brown. SAINTS - 31, JAGUARS - 13 https://t.co/zc7EK6xwdY
— Big Cat Country (@BigCatCountry) December 27, 2015

Prior to being put on IR for other lingering injuries, the game was starting to slow down for Sample according to Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union. Carlyon wrote back in late September,

"“Everything is making sense, and I’m able to play faster now,” Sample said. “I’ve started preparing to be the starter. I’m getting ahead on film and getting some keys on what certain players are doing.My teammates are helping me. A lot of them have played against my opponents a couple times already. They’ve shown me tips on certain plays to be on watch for so I can play faster.”"

The Jaguars are expected to address the safety position in either free agency or the draft. The are a number of good safeties on the market including Tashaun Gipson, Eric Weddle, Eric Berry, and George Iloka. With the amount of cap space the team has, it’s likely either of the four could be wearing Jaguar colors come the start of the season.

Safety Jalen Ramsey, one of the top overall prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft, could also be a Jaguar come late April. A lot of mock drafts have the Jaguars selecting the versatile Florida State player.

Whatever happens this offseason, the Jaguars still have plans to use the Louisville Cardinal next season because of his playmaking ability.

Hays Carlyon of the Florida Times-Union wrote this about Sample in late September,

"Sample’s ability to make plays caught Bradley’s attention. The upbeat Bradley lit up a little extra when asked about Sample on Wednesday.“I saw it with him in the [Patriots] game. He makes plays,” Bradley said."

More nfl spin zone: Jacksonville Jaguars: What to expect from Dante Fowler in 2016

James Sample can play either safety position for the Jaguars in 2016 so expect the second year player to get plenty of looks at both spots. Sample’s physical style of play will be interesting to watch as the Jaguars defense has lacked that kind of presence since the days of Donovan Darius.