If J.C. Jackson Is Committed To Football He Could Provide Value As A Slot Defender For The Redskins

J.C. Jackson, CB
School: Maryland | Conference: BIG 10
College Experience: rJr | Age: 22?
Height / Weight: 5-9 / 201 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 5th Round or 6th Round
NFL Comparison: Sterling Moore

College Statistics

Player Overview

J.C. Jackson was a 4-star prospect from Immokalee, Florida. He originally committed to play at the University of Florida. In 2014, he suffered a shoulder injury which made him redshirt his freshman year. Jackson got into trouble in Gainsville and was charged with four felony counts of armed robbery. Jackson went to trial in 2015 and was acquitted on all counts after no additional testimony or forensic evidence was levied against him during the trial. Even though Jackson was cleared his career as a Florida Gator was over before it really began. There is no doubt Jackson was young and extremely dumb during that time and coaches and staff will have to determine if he is still dumb during this draft process. Jackson’s career was reborn when he transferred to Maryland. Jackson credits getting away from Florida and home to his renewed focus. Jackson has had a successful and productive career at Maryland and looks like a prime candidate for a slot corner role at the next level. Jackson is shorter than desired but is built solidly and is a physical corner. He played the boundary while at Maryland and primarily played man coverage and is a decent and rangy athlete. Jackson jams his opponent at the LOS to try and throw them off balance and disrupt timing. He has decent instincts and while he isn't great at breaking on the ball he does have legit closing speed and tackles with good technique. To that end, he is also reliable in run support. He’s a scrappy player that has a tangible but a worthwhile ceiling worth investing in. The big question for him is keeping good company.

Strengths

• Solidly built for the position with good athleticism.
• Physical player that likes to get in on tackles. Plays with good technique there. Will come up and support the run and takes decent pursuit angles to the ball.
• Challenges the catch point when he is in position and will fight for the ball until the play is over.
• Speed and bail technique allows him to stick with speedy receivers on the outside. Quickness will transfer to the slot.

Weaknesses

• Character and company concerns will have to thoroughly be investigated.
• Shorter than desired for a corner.
• Instincts are just average can be late in turning his head and may lose sight of the ball. Needs to get better at reading the QBs eyes and improve his anticipation.
• Will have to learn how to fight and get off blocks. Was too easily moved by receivers at times.

Let’s see his work:

More J.C. Jackson videos

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

The Redskins should be looking to add depth to the slot CB position and cornerback in general if Bashaud Breeland leaves in free agency. As a later round pick a player like Jackson presents upside a team will be willing to invest in pending where his head is at. If Jackson checks out there he could be the type of player that contributes immediately to coverage on the special teams unit. He could also provide competition to Josh Holsey at the slot CB position. Jackson has the physicality and speed you want out of the position but has several key areas he could improve greatly including his timing, anticipation, and ability to get off blocks. I’d also like to see him improve his ball skills as well. All those things are coachable and while Jackson may not ever reach the level of a top slot CB in the NFL he has the potential to be decently productive for a few years with the proper coaching and environment. The local product may interest the Redskins and if they deem him to be committed to football and walking the straight and narrow. If that's the case for a 5th or 6th round pick I wouldn’t mind.