​The Jacksonville Jaguars training camp is just about a month away, and as part of our preview we’re taking a closer look at each positional battle that could unfold. The offseason programs laid the groundwork for these competitions and offered some clues about where things might stand, but what happens in camp and the preseason will ultimately decide who wins the jobs.
Next up: the safety position. It may not be much of a competition at the top, as the room appears fairly settled. Eric Murray and Antonio Johnson are the presumed starters, with Caleb Ransaw likely to fill the third safety role that still sees meaningful time within Anthony Campanile’s defensive scheme. Jalen Huskey, a third-round pick this year, could make an immediate impact on special teams, and Rayuan Lane contributed consistently on special teams as a rookie. That accounts for five roster spots, which is typically the number of safeties teams keep on the 53-man roster.
If a true competition emerges, it could be Huskey challenging Ransaw for the third safety position. Johnson enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, driven by his versatility in the defense. Campanile has leveraged Johnson’s ability to play multiple roles—safety positions, nickel, and dime—giving him a broader impact on the defense. “Cool thing about him is he’s had a lot on his plate,” Campanile said. “Maybe more than even some other guys because Antonio plays both safety positions, nickel, dime, he does a lot. So when you do that, it’s hard to learn all that stuff, but in the end, the silver lining is you know the defense as good or better than anybody and I think he’s at the point now here he can coach a lot of the techniques that we’re asking the guys to play, which is cool.”
Ransaw, who missed his rookie season due to a foot injury, has looked sharp this spring upon returning to the field. As the third safety in the room, he is expected to continue seeing steady playing time in Campanile’s defense. His proficiency in deep safety duties would allow Campanile to keep Johnson flexible and moving around the back end, maximizing his playmaking potential.
Providing stability at the back end is Murray, whose experience and communication skills stand out. His ability to relay assignments and pre-snap adjustments is a critical factor in anchoring the secondary. “Huge,” Coen said of having Murray’s experience on defense. “It allows us to move Antonio around and that in the back end we’ve got consistency. A guy who’s going to come down and make plays in the run game, get us in the right checks and balances in the back end from a coverage standpoint. Eric plays the game nasty. He plays this game violently. He’s made some plays on the ball.”
Looking ahead, I expect Murray and Johnson to remain the starters, with Ransaw and Huskey/ Lane competing for the third safety role. The coaching staff’s multi-faceted approach leaves room for Johnson to continue expanding his responsibilities, while Murray’s veteran presence provides the sort of steadying influence that can make everything else click. The real test will come in camp and the preseason, where depth, consistency, and the ability to execute multiple roles will determine the final hierarchy in the secondary.