Bennett

Jackson

The Texans sent linebacker Benardrick McKinney to Miami in exchange for Lawson in March but their newly-acquired linebacker was listed as a backup on Houston’s initial depth chart. The team seeing Lawson as a rotational player likely made it easy to move on from him. New York was forced into exploring a trade for a pass-rusher after losing Carl Lawson to a torn Achilles’ tendon earlier this month. Shaq won’t be able to completely replace Carl’s presence as a threat to opposing passers but he has tallied 18.5 sacks over the previous four seasons. The Jets defense still projects to be among the league’s worst this year despite making some improvements during the offseason. New York released defensive back Bennett Jackson in a corresponding move.

A core special teamer type, Jackson was limited to four games by a hamstring issue in 2020. 2021 will be his age-30 campaign.

Jackson made six appearances for the Jets last year, primarily being used on 91 special teams snaps after a failed stint off of waivers with the Ravens in early September. He’ll re-join teammate Arthur Maulet as another player New York brought back upon opting not to tender.

He’s really just competing for a special teams role after undergoing microfracture surgery last October. Speed deficient for a corner, Jackson’s outlook for a roster spot improves moving to a position where the Giants are needy.

A former wideout, Jackson stands in at 6-foot-0, 195 pounds. He has good speed and athleticism (4.51 40-yard dash, 38-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump), but struggled as a tackler for Notre Dame. He’ll likely be limited to special teams for the G-Men.

There’s no structural damage, but Jackson will likely miss extended time. A sixth-round pick, Jackson is a candidate for the practice squad.

Jackson (5-foot-11 7/8, 195) opened his Fighting Irish career as a wideout, kick returner, and gunner before converting to cornerback. He was a middling college corner, particularly struggling as a tackler. Jackson clocked 4.51 at the Combine with a 38-inch vertical and 10-foot-8 broad jump, so athleticism is a strength. Jackson ultimately projects as a special teamer only in the NFL.

It’s another big blow to New York’s league-worst safety situation, where FS Mykkele Thompson is done for the year with an Achilles’ tear, and SS Landon Collins is week to week with an MCL sprain. Jackson had successfully transitioned from cornerback in camp, and emerged as a candidate to start at free safety.

Bennett missed the last two years with injuries. He joins Nat Berhe as a candidate to start opposite Landon Collins. Jackson could also play the slot in 2016.

Jackson was the favorite to start at free safety before tearing his right ACL in the Giants’ second preseason game last year. The former corner is expected to compete for the starting job opposite Landon Collins with Nat Berhe (calf) and Mykkele Thompson (Achilles’), who both also missed all of last season due to injury. The Giants may also add another safety early in the draft.