Mike

Jackson

Jackson has appeared in 34 games for the Seahawks over the last two seasons while making 21 starts. The fifth-year corner earned a PFF coverage grade of 76.9 while playing on 474 defensive snaps last season and provides nice depth for a Panthers secondary that is in need of help. In return, the Seahawks get rookie linebacker Michael Barrett, who the Panthers selected in the seventh round of this year’s draft. Barrett has totaled two tackles this preseason and will likely contribute on special teams to start.

It’s a mild surprise after the Patriots traded Jackson earlier in camp. Clearly, it was a conditional pick contingent on Jackson making the team. The second-year fifth-rounder quickly developed a reputation for going toe to toe with N’Keal Harry, but the wideout had started getting the better of him of late. Jackson is only 23, but he is fast becoming a journeyman.

The trade came hours after the Lions announced they would cut Jackson, who played in just one game for Detroit in 2019. Jackson was drafted by Dallas in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft.

Jackson was taken in the fifth round of this year’s draft but evidently didn’t impress many in the organization this summer. Jackson has good size at 6'2/210 and blew up the Combine with insane measurables, including a 40.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-10 broad jump.

Jackson (6’1/210) was a two-year starter and four-year contributor in the Hurricanes’ secondary, tallying ten career pass breakups and four INTs and earning honorable mention All-ACC as a senior. Although Jackson’s college career was nondescript, he caught scouting attention by destroying the Combine for a 4.45 forty, 40 ½-inch vertical, and 10-foot-10 broad jump, good for top-eight SPARQ results among cornerbacks in Indy. Jackson looks the part as a plus-sized man-to-man corner, but his lack of college dominance is a big red flag considering his toolbox. He’s a college underachiever with NFL upside.

Jackson (6’1/210) was a two-year starter and four-year contributor in the Hurricanes’ secondary, tallying ten career pass breakups and four INTs and earning honorable mention All-ACC as a senior. Although Jackson’s college career was nondescript, he caught scouting attention by destroying the Combine for a 4.45 forty, 40 ½-inch vertical, and 10-foot-10 broad jump, good for top-eight SPARQ results among cornerbacks in Indy. Jackson looks the part as a plus-sized man-to-man corner, but his lack of college dominance is a big red flag considering his toolbox. He’s a college underachiever with NFL upside.

It’s fair to say that this wasn’t a “Bad” time for Michael Jackson. Sorry, but this pun had to be made. This is tied for the ninth-best time with Kris Boyd of Texas among corners, and considering his size (6-foot-1, 210-pounds) it’s a more than respectable number. Most analysts viewed him as a fringe Day 2 prospect coming into the combine, and depending on how he does in the agility/position drills, it’s possible Jackson worked himself into that range.

Jackson Jr. (6'1/200) had no interceptions in the regular season, but he did pick off four passes in the 2017 campaign while helping Miami reach the Orange Bowl. Some of that has to do with teams not challenging the senior cornerback, and he also showed the ability to blitz with three sacks. Athletic testing will be important for Jackson, but if he does perform well at the Shrine Game and combine, he has a chance to be one of the first senior corners off the board.

Since the penalty occurred during the first half Jackson will not have to sit out a portion of Miami’s October 26 game against Boston College. As for the remainder of Saturday’s matchup, Miami will now have to make do without its best cornerback.

Jackson’s numbers in this one were good for a 42.4 passer rating allowed. After recording four interceptions last season Jackson has none so far this year. A lot of factors play into interceptions including opposing quarterbacks willingness to throw his direction, so it isn’t a huge deal for the draft hopeful. Jackson will look to keep his receivers locked down next week against North Carolina.