:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50338101/usa-today-9340656.0.jpg)
William Jackson III, CB
School: Houston | Conference: AAC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height/Weight: 6-1 / 185 lbs.
Projected Draft Round: 2nd - 3rd | Actual: Round 1 (24th Overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals
NFL Comparison: Kevin Johnson
College Statistics
/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/5982961/William_Jackson_III_Stats.0.PNG)
Player Overview
A 3-star recruit, Jackson began his career at Trinity Valley Community College before transferring to the University of Houston in 2013. Jackson possesses good height and overall length for the cornerback position, with his frame lending itself best to a boundary corner role in the NFL. At Houston, he was the clear top dog on the defense and drew the opposing team's top wideout in coverage. Jackson reportedly earned a 3rd-4th round grade in last year's draft, but declined to enter as an underclassman to finish out his college career. Betting on himself looks to have paid off, because his best statistical season came in 2015, where he recorded 34 solo tackles, 5 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns) and an outstanding 23 passes defensed.
With a solid Combine showing in Indianapolis, including running a 4.37 second 40-yard dash, Jackson III vaulted from a Day 2 pick into the first round, selected by the Bengals at 24th overall. Unfortunately, Jackson tore his pectoral muscle early in training camp, meaning he will miss most or all of his rookie season.
Player News
Marvin Lewis says CB William Jackson III will have surgery to reattach pectoral muscle. #Bengals believe he could come back this season.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) August 4, 2016
Bengals 1st round pick William Jackson III suffered a torn pectoral muscle, could miss the entire season. pic.twitter.com/AOl677uc0C
— 120 Sports (@120Sports) August 2, 2016
Bengals gone go so hard this year .. That boy William Jackson III is a dog .. Bout time we got a good corner
— KD35Shots✨ (@TheRealLilStar_) June 20, 2016
William Jackson III is going to be this years Marcus Peters.
— Best Of NFL (@bestofnfl_) June 14, 2016
UPDATE; #Bengals signed No. 24 overall pick CB William Jackson III to a four-year, $9.7 million contract. #NFL
— Drew Boylhart (@DrewBoylhart) June 10, 2016
How He Improves the Bengals and Creates Problems for the Redskins
William Jackson III tore his pectoral in training camp and likely will miss most or all of the 2016 season, so he won't be facing the Redskins in London. Jackson III was one of my higher-rated corners in the 2016 Draft, a late first/early second round pick (better than Eli Apple, who was taken by the Giants at #10 overall).
The Redskins wide receiving corps will instead face a combination of Adam Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick and Darqueze Dennard at cornerback. While Adam Jones is quietly still one of the NFL's better cornerbacks, the other two have struggled, and can be an area the Skins exploit.