​When Montaric Brown was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars late in the 2022 NFL Draft, the expectation surrounding him was modest: a contributor mainly on special teams with limited upside on defense. Yet his rookie season left a different impression. He impressed the coaching staff enough to carve out a role on defense during his second year, and by his third season he had earned a stable starting spot. Despite a setback early in 2025, missing two games due to an injury, Brown delivered a solid campaign that led to a three-year, $33 million extension signed on March 9, 2026. Here are five key takeaways about Brown’s journey and impact.
Brown’s path to the NFL began in Ashdown, Arkansas, where he graduated from Ashdown High School before heading to the University of Arkansas in 2018. As a freshman, he appeared in 11 games, starting to show the versatility that would define his college career. Over his Razorback tenure, Brown played in 42 college games, culminating in a productive senior season during which he appeared in 13 games and intercepted five passes—numbers that not only highlighted his playmaking ability but also led the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in interceptions, underscoring his defensive instincts.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, Brown was selected by the Jaguars with the 222nd overall pick in the seventh round, earmarked as a cornerback with potential upside. He was the 30th of 37 cornerbacks taken in that draft class. Brown’s rookie season saw him contribute in eight games, starting one, with his primary contributions coming on special teams. His early NFL trajectory suggested a developmental path, with the hope that he could transition into a more significant defensive role in the coming seasons.
Brown’s second season saw a notable uptick in responsibilities. He appeared in 12 games and started six, and he played in more than half of the Jaguars’ defensive snaps. This progression signaled that he had earned the trust of the coaching staff and had carved out a meaningful place on the defense, establishing himself as a versatile defender who could contribute in multiple packages.
The 2024 season was Brown’s most expansive to date. He played in all 17 regular-season games and started 10, delivering a well-rounded stat line that included his first career interception and 75 total tackles, with 55 of those being solo stops and six tackles for loss. His versatility was on full display as he contributed both in coverage and in run defense, reinforcing his value to the Jaguars’ defensive plans.
Brown’s 2025 campaign faced an early obstacle when he sustained a lower left leg/ankle injury during training camp, sidelining him for the entire camp and the first two games of the season. He returned in Week 3 and continued to perform at a high level, contributing two interceptions and 51 tackles (43 of which were solo). His steady production helped justify the Jaguars’ decision to invest in him, culminating in the three-year, $33 million contract extension announced on March 9, 2026.
As Brown’s story continues to unfold with Jacksonville, five takeaways stand out: his ascent from a special-teams role to a defensive starter, his college roots and SEC interception prowess shaping his pro potential, his steady accumulation of defensive snaps across seasons, his resilience in the face of early-career injuries, and the long-term commitment the Jaguars demonstrated by extending him for three years at a substantial average annual value. While the initial label of “special teams-only” was a starting point, Brown’s development has shown him to be a durable, adaptable, and increasingly indispensable member of Jacksonville’s defense.
Note: A stray piece in the original text references Buster Brown, a comic strip character from 1902-1904, created by Richard F. Outcault and associated with the Brown Shoe Company. This unrelated snippet was included in error and has no bearing on Montaric Brown’s football career. The focus here remains on Montaric Brown’s journey with the Jaguars and his on-field impact.