Jaguars CB room update: How does the cornerback position look after Tyson Campbell trade?

The Jacksonville Jaguars have reportedly traded cornerback Tyson Campbell to the Cleveland Browns for cornerback Greg Newsome.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Jaguars are sending Campbell and the Eagles' 2026 7th-round pick that they acquired in the Fred Johnson trade earlier this season.

The Browns are sending Newsome and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the New York Jets to the Jaguars.

Key to Jaguars turnaround?: Liam Coen's communication, leadership early on

Campbell, a fifth-year cornerback, had an up-and-down start to the 2025 season. After having a strong offseason, he didn't carry his momentum into the season.

Through five games he recorded 34 total tackles, six pass deflections and a forced fumble. But he also allowed three touchdowns including a 50-yard reception by Texans wide receiver Nico Collins where he bit hard on a double move without help over the top.

It's a move that allows the Jaguars to bring in another starting-caliber player to play in the league's leading defense in takeaways. Newsome, also in his fifth year, has recorded 23 total tackles with three pass deflections this season.

He's appeared in 59 career games with 47 starts. Newsome recorded 178 total tackles with 37 pass deflections and three interceptions as a member of the Browns.

He now joins a Jaguars team who are relatively young at the cornerback position.

How does the Jaguars' cornerback position look after the Tyson Campbell trade?

The Jaguars were already deep at the position prior to trading Campbell away and bringing Newsome in. They signed free agent nickel cornerback Jourdan Lewis in March and he's been the most consistent performer in the secondary.

Montaric Brown had a good offseason, but was injured on the first day of training camp and is working his way back into a fuller workload on the field. He missed the first three games and split playing time since returning to the field.

Jarrian Jones has served as a reserve corner as he transitions from nickel to outside.

But the person who this trade benefits the most is likely rookie two-way player Travis Hunter. Hunter was drafted No. 2 overall after the Jaguars made a trade with the Browns and has played on both sides of the ball for Jacksonville.

His performance against the Kansas City Chiefs was his most well-rounded performance, seeing 64 total snaps and making impact plays on both sides.

Who'll replace Tyson Campbell as a starter at cornerback?

Campbell's departure and Newsome's arrival doesn't automatically mean he'll replace him as the starter.

While Newsome will likely become a starter this season, he'll probably have to work his way to that point as he learns defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's system.

So in the mean time, who'll replace Campbell? As previously listed, the Jaguars have several options for players who could step up. It will come down to two players in Brown or Hunter.

Brown made a key play down the stretch against the Chiefs where he broke up a would-be touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes. He spent the entirety of the summer as Jacksonville's starter opposite Campbell in nickel.

However, it will likely be Hunter who gets the nod. The Jaguars have made it a mission of the organization to be bold when the opportunity presents itself.

There's no time like the present to show they're confident in Hunter's ability to start on both sides of the ball. He should replace Campbell in Jacksonville's base package and be the premier defender for the Jaguars.

That's not to say he'll be forced to play every snap, but he certainly should be on the field as much as possible and an increase in his role on defense will ensure that outcome.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: What the Tyson Campbell trade means for Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter