With one safety and one corner (Rasheen Mathias) set, Del Rio and Harris set out to find another corner, and potentially a safety. The premier corner free-agents, like Shawn Springs, signed early in the free-agent period and were looking for a price that was too rich for the Jaguars. So they looked at the second tier, and came up with Dewayne Washington of the Steelers and Lewis Sanders of Cleveland. Washington has some good stats, but as one Steeler fan told me, “he’s our version of Fernando Bryant.” Which means occasionally brilliant, but on the backside of being burned all too often.

Washington was released by the Steelers in February, and had lost his starting job during the season. But he was the right price and fits what Del Rio is looking for: a guy who’s hungry to prove himself. Maybe Sanders will also compete for a starting job, and the nickel position with Kiwaukee Thomas and Jason Craft.

Signing Deon Grant from the Panthers was kind of a surprise. He’s the only full-time starter for another team the Jaguars have signed, and clearly their most expensive acquisition. It appeared the team was happy with Deke Cooper at the free safety position. Del Rio praised him on a regular basis during the second half of last year. But Grant played for Del Rio at Carolina and is young (24) with some experience. Plus he’s played on a team that went to the Super Bowl.

There are two other spots the Jaguars are going to look for in free-agency and possibly in the draft. Del Rio would like to get another linebacker, somebody who can add some size at that position and still cover in space if he has to. Danny Clark is looking at the free-agent market, and if he doesn’t find what he’s looking for, the Jaguars would be interested in re-signing him. They really want a defensive end who can put some pressure on the passer. The combination of a big linebacker and a rush end would work nicely into Del Rio’s plan.

That leaves the draft, where the Jaguars have the ninth pick overall. They took Fred Taylor at that spot in 1998, and would like a player with the potential for similar production at that spot this year. A lot of people are saying the team will take a wide receiver there, but only if it’s a high quality guy who has dropped to that spot. Roy Williams from Texas will probably be there, but the Jaguars aren’t sure he’s worth that high of a pick. If Larry Fitzgerald or Mike Williams are there, the Jaguars will take them, but neither is likely to be still on the board. So if there’s something happening in their own mock drafts that dictates them changing positions in the first round, don’t be surprised if they do it. Up or Down. They’re looking for an instant impact player, and might be willing to part with a draft pick down the board in order to move up a few spots if necessary.

I ran into Rich Tylski at the coffee shop the other day. He’s been out of football for two years but is anxious to get back in and will get his chance with Carolina. Tylski was called by the Panthers last week, they flew him to Charlotte, gave him a physical and signed him right there. No workout, no nothing. Mike Maser, the former Jaguars offensive line coach is in the same position under John Fox in Carolina, so Tylski will step in and compete for a job with somebody looking at him who already knows what he can do. He’s stayed in shape, and is healthy and will go to their off-season conditioning program the first week of April. Tylski is leaving his position at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, but will stay active with the organization. By the way, Tylski and his wife, already the parents of three young boys, are adopting a 4-year old girl to fill out their family.