James

Sample

The 2015 fourth-rounder ended his rookie season on injured reserve with a shoulder issue, and DiRocco reports his shoulder is “banged up again.” With a numbers-crunch in the secondary, stashing Sample on IR might be Jacksonville’s best option.

A 2015 fourth-round pick, Sample also ended his rookie season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. It is possible he is designated to return later in the season. Jacksonville also cut TE Nic Jacobs and DE Bjoern Werner to reach the 75-man roster limit.

A 2015 fourth-round pick, Sample couldn’t stay healthy in Jacksonville.

A one-year starter at Louisville, Sample (6'2/209) profiles as a strong fit in Gus Bradley’s Cover-3, running 4.56 at the Combine with a 10-foot-3 broad jump. Sample is expected to start out at free safety, behind journeyman Sergio Brown.

Sample played strong safety in college, but the positions are interchangeable in Gus Bradley’s scheme. Sergio Brown has been working opposite Jonathan Cyprien during OTAs and remains the favorite to start. Sample would need a strong training camp to unseat Brown.

He’ll be out the remainder of the offseason program before returning “at some point” during training camp. Sample was/is expected to compete for the starting job next to SS Johnathan Cyprien. The injury puts him behind the eight ball a little bit. Sergio Brown will run as the starting free safety for the time being.

Sample’s absence from most of camp will all but eliminate his chances of opening the season as Jacksonville’s starting free safety. That job will now go to career special teamer Sergio Brown. The Jaguars have had an awful run of luck since compiling one of this year’s most-impressive draft classes, losing Dante Fowler to an ACL tear and now Sample to a fractured arm.

Sample suffered a broken right arm in OTAs. He is expected to compete with Sergio Brown for the starting free safety position.

Sample (6'2/209) transferred from the University of Washington to a California JUCO before landing at UL, where he became the Cardinals’ leading tackler as a senior and intercepted four passes. Although overshadowed by Gerod Holliman in the same secondary, Sample is the superior pro prospect as a quick-twitch mover and tough tackler with plus athleticism, running 4.56 at the Combine with a 10-foot-3 broad jump. Sample best projects as a half-field safety who won’t necessarily focus on center field or the box. He should be able to perform both tasks adequately.

Jaguars personnel director Andy Dengler said the versatile Sample can play “red-line to red-line.” Throughout his career at Louisville, Sample was equally adept at manning the box as well as on the outside. Walker said Jacksonville’s safeties “are interchangeable.” Sergio Brown is slated to start at free safety with Johnathan Cyprien getting the nod at strong safety. Former sixth-round pick Josh Evans will back up at both positions.