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Washington Redskins 2014 Player Profile: DeSean Jackson, Wide Receiver

What impact can DeSean Jackson have on Jay Gruden's new offense?

By Alex Rowsey
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

DeSean Jackson

Wide Receiver

California

Round 2, Pick 49 (2008 NFL Draft)

Twitter: @DeSeanJackson11

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 175 lbs

Career Stats

Receiving Stats

Year Team Games Receptions Targets Yards Average Yards per Reception Longest Reception Touchdowns First Downs Fumbles Fumbles Lost
2008 PHI 16 62 121 912 14.7 60 2 43 1 0
2009 PHI 15 62 117 1,156 18.6 71 9 40 2 1
2010 PHI 14 47 97 1,056 22.5 91 6 33 2 1
2011 PHI 15 58 104 961 16.6 62 4 39 0 0
2012 PHI 11 45 85 700 15.6 77 2 30 1 0
2013 PHI 16 82 126 1,332 16.2 61 9 60 1 0
Total Total 87 356 650 6,117 17.2 91 32 245 7 2

Returning Stats

Year Team Games Punt Return Attempts Punt Return Yards Punts Returned for Touchdown Punts Fair Caught Longest Punt Return Kickoff Return Attempts Kickoff Return Yards Kickoffs Returned for Touchdown Kickoffs Fair Caught Longest Kickoff Return
2008 PHI 16 50 440 1 16 68 1 12 0 0 12
2009 PHI 15 29 441 2 15 85 1 0 0 0 0
2010 PHI 14 20 231 1 8 65 0 0 0 0 0
2011 PHI 15 17 114 0 12 51 1 7 0 0 7
2012 PHI 11 1 -3 0 0 -3 0 0 0 0 0
2013 PHI 16 14 71 0 8 35 1 10 0 0 10
Total Total 87 131 1,294 4 59 85 4 29 0 0 12

Rushing Stats

Year Team Games Attempts Yards Average Yards per Carry Longest Rushing Attempt Touchdowns First Downs Fumbles Fumbles Lost
2008 PHI 16 17 96 5.6 21 1 5 0 0
2009 PHI 15 11 137 12.5 67 1 5 0 0
2010 PHI 14 16 104 6.5 31 1 5 0 0
2011 PHI 15 7 41 5.9 18 0 2 0 0
2012 PHI 11 3 -7 -2.3 5 0 0 0 0
2013 PHI 16 3 2 0.7 8 0 0 0 0
Total Total 87 57 373 6.5 67 3 17 0 0
  • 3x Pro Bowl (2009, 2010, 2013)
  • All-Pro (2009)

2014 Outlook

2014 is going to be a big year for Jackson.  After being cut by the Eagles following arguably his most successful NFL season and having his future paycheck affected negatively, Jackson will have a huge chip on his shoulder coming into this year.  He was slated to make ~$10.5M this year under his previous contract with the Eagles and following his release he signed with the Redskins at a discount.  Jackson will make $8M this year ($5M signing bonus + $1M fully-guaranteed base salary + $500K fully-guaranteed workout bonus + $1.5M fully-guaranteed 53-man per game roster bonus), $8M in 2015 ($3.75M fully-guaranteed base salary + $500K fully-guaranteed workout bonus + $3.75M fully-guaranteed 53-man roster bonus).  So, $16M guaranteed over the next two years.  Really, not bad considering the caliber of player he's proven to be.  2016 in Jackson's contract is exactly the same as 2015, but with no guarantees.  So Jackson is playing under a three-year, $24M contract that can become a two-year $16M contract if the 'Skins so decide.  His cap charge this year is $4.25M and will be $9.25M in '15 and '16.  His play and behavior (on and off the field) will weight heavily into how this contract plays out, as well as what Jackson can expect for his career after this contract.

Based on the way this offense is shaping up, you have to think that Jackson is in for another great season.  With so many threats all over the field, the 'Skins look poised (on paper at least) to rack up a decent number of yards and points.  Having Garcon, Morris, Reed, Roberts, and a 100% RGIII, Jackson should find plenty more room to operate.  I'm sure he wants to prove to every team that didn't pay up for him after the Eagles cut him, and to the Eagles themselves, that they made a big mistake and that he's worth more than $8M/yr.

New HC Jay Gruden is known for passing the ball a lot and you'd have to think that Gruden's offensive plan is at least part of the reason that Jackson chose to come to Washington.  Jackson's greatest strength is his deep-threat ability and playmaking speed.  He'll be used to take the top off of defenses and will almost always require safety help over the top.  Jackson does struggle a bit with larger, physical corners, but if he gets a step on any of them, there pretty much isn't anyone that can keep up.  He's also versatile enough to be dangerous in the return game and running the football.  I'd expect we'll see him on the outside, in the slot, out of the backfield, and returning a few punts throughout the year.  Jackson's speed gives him versatility and his versatility is one of his greater strengths.

I predict a great Pro Bowl caliber season from D-Jax this year.  I'll say 72 receptions for 1,244 yards and 8 TD's.  Throw in 8 punt returns for 93 yards and 1 TD, too.

Roster Prediction: Making Roster

Given good health, Jackson will make the 53-man roster and start.  He'll be in on a vast majority of the snaps.  His unique abilities create major headaches for opposing defenses and even if he doesn't have the ball in his hands, his presence on the field eases everything else our offense could try to do.  He's a top-flight NFL WR and has a fully healed RGIII delivering the ball.  Expect domination.

Personal Information

DeSean was born in L.A. and raised near Long Beach in Cali.  He is the first player ever to be selected to a Pro Bowl at two different positions when he was named to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a WR and PR.  In addition to football, DeSean played baseball growing up.  He was very good and was scouted by big-league teams during his Senior year of high school.  Another interesting yet negative fact is that DeSean has had an easy TD within his reach and failed to cross the ball over the goal-line (dropped it too early, did a flip too early, etc.) on more than one occasion.  Hopefully he learns to cross the goal-line before any celebrations as a Redskin.  His brother was a WR for a brief while in the NFL having spent time on the Chiefs PS.  DeSean's current residence is in NJ, but you'd have to think he's looking for a place closer to D.C.  He is currently involved in a financial struggle with his former agent Drew Rosenhaus that you can read about here.  He also has his own website!

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