The NFL’s 30 best defensive free agents
2 min read
(David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)
Jackson has been one of the NFL’s most underrated players for a few years now, and he plies his trade at a crucial position. One senses that NFL decision-makers won’t be as late to the party, but keep in mind that Jackson played last season on a restricted free agent contract, which means that another team would have had to give Jackson a deal, and surrender a second-round pick to do it.
The question remains: Would you have given up a second-round pick and signed Jackson to a high-level cornerback deal before he gave up 54 catches on 103 targets for 724 yards, 253 yards after the catch, three touchdowns, eight interceptions, and an opponent passer rating of 52.4? And would you have done that knowing that his 25 interceptions over the last four seasons leads the NFL?
Jackson has been more proficient in man coverage throughout his career, but he’s also kept things together as the Patriots have moved from a more man-heavy set of concepts in 2019. He should be the most sought-after free agent in this class unless the Patriots decide to give him that long-term deal, or apply the franchise tag. There should be no question at this point regarding his ability to clamp down without help.
J.C. Jackson in single coverage since 2020:
🔒46.3 Passer Rating Allowed (2nd)
🔒14 INTs (1st)📸: @Patriots pic.twitter.com/Mnff5QLFZV
— PFF (@PFF) January 7, 2022
Of course, Jackson will have to answer questions about covering Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs, his bete noire, but other than that, Jackson has alleviated any other concerns about his ability to cover — and it’s not as if Jackson is the only cornerback Diggs has nuked from time to time.
This is the moment where J.C. Jackson poked the bear. Never poke the bear. Jackson had allowed three touchdowns all season. Stefon Diggs roasted him for two touchdowns after this. pic.twitter.com/L5sUVNcS0G
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) December 29, 2020
Good morning. Stefon Diggs has three touchdowns against Patriots CB J.C. Jackson as his nearest defender over the last 2 seasons.
That’s as many as every other receiver has combined vs Jackson in that span, per @NextGenStats. pic.twitter.com/jgxy94djn8
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) December 27, 2021
