Jacksonville signs Kahlef Hailassie, undrafted in 2023 from Western Kentucky, to bolster depth at safety after releasing Darnell Savage. The move injects cornerback-like ball skills into the back end, with the Jaguars leaning on three-safety looks as Eric Murray and Andrew Wingard hold the starting roles and Antonio Johnson joins the trio. Hailassie and Rayuan Lane are earmarked for depth and valuable special-teams work.

Hailassie’s path includes stops with Kansas City, Cleveland, and Minnesota’s practice squad, totaling 104 defensive snaps in 2023. While he’ll play safety, his background at cornerback broadens Jacksonville’s coverage ideas and offers insurance as the team prepared for a busy schedule and evolving sub-packages.

Travis Hunter’s two-way Week 2 debut signals a potential fantasy anchor for Jacksonville’s rookie class, with 59% of offensive snaps and 62% of defensive snaps, finishing with 33 receiving yards on six targets and a pass breakup that could’ve iced the game. Bhayshul Tuten seized the post-Tank Bigsby opportunity, rushing 18 times for 42 yards and snagging two screens, including a dazzling 24-yard score. The rest of the rookies were mixed, but the longer-term mix vs. Cincinnati suggests bright paths for the Jags’ 2025 class.

Jacksonville moves on from Darnell Savage and faces a clear path to a new third safety. Antonio Johnson is favored to inherit the role, thanks to his 858 career defensive snaps and broader deep-safety experience, which fits the Jaguars' three-safety looks under Anthony Campanile. Rayuan Lane, a Day 3 rookie, sits behind as the developing option, while the 53-man roster decision looms as GM James Gladstone weighs adding depth at safety.

The depth chart shift centers on whether Johnson can translate camp competition into the on-field versatility to play deep, box, or nickel, with Lane offering upside as a developmental piece. Savage’s release removes a rotational piece who lined up all over the secondary, opening the door for Johnson to lock in as the new flexible backstop alongside Eric Murray and the rest of the unit.