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Player Name: Adoree' Jackson
H/W: 5'10 186
Position:: CB / ATH
School / Class: USC / Junior
Measureables: 4.42 40, 36" vertical jump, 122" broad jump
The Tape:
vs Penn State (2016 Rose Bowl)
Strengths:
- Athleticism - Jackson is one of the best athletes in the class, regardless of position. He can flip his hips on a dime. Can stay step for step with the fastest receivers in the country with very little separation. A great athlete that was eligible to participate in Olympic track and field trials. In the duel with John Ross, he shut him down minus one play where he got his feet crossed. Lateral agility is a major plus. High points the ball like a receiver. In the Bama game, he ran down a RB that was a good 30-40 yards ahead of him going full speed. He's a corner that will almost always be in the same picture as the receiver.
- Versatility - Look up the word versatile and you'll see a picture of Jackson next to it. A threat to score on all three phases of the game from anywhere on the field. Defensively, he can play both outside and in the slot. Obviously a dynamic return man in the vein of a Devin Hester. A great asset in the passing game as well. He was utilized as a receiver at USC a lot over the years. I expect the Titans to use him on offense a little as the year goes on.
- Experience - Although he declared for the draft as a junior, he is very experienced against some of the best receivers that the college ranks had to offer. He shut down Alabama's Calvin Ridley, who is considered to be one of the best prospects this year in the 2016 season opener. Shut down the reigning Combine 40 champion Ross for the most part. Had a rough go of it against current Houston Texan receiver Will Fuller. Matched up well against Notre Dame's big body E. Saint-Brown. Went up against JuJu Smith-Schuster in practice. Expert at timing the pass for pass breakups.
- Production - He checks off this box for J-Rob and co pretty well. Turned in a total of six picks with 29 passes defensed. A whopping nine touchdowns on both defense and special teams. Has six offensive touchdowns to his resume. Posted 39 receptions for 628 yards. 139 tackles in three years. He's a willing tackler and doesn't mind getting in the fray to finish the play. Missed only FOUR tackles on 54 attempts as a junior. Also has numerous awards such as the Jim Thorpe, multiple All-America and All-Pac12 teams to show for it.
Weaknesses:
- Frame - He is small for an outside corner. Teams will pick on him with bigger receivers more than likely until he can prove that he can hang with them. A question is how long can he hold on in run support given his size. Needs to add a little more weight to 195 or so without sacrificing his speed and athleticism. Could be limited to slot duties.
- "Meet the Press" - I rarely saw him in press coverage. Maybe he was trying to compensate for his size but it's practically a requirement for Dick LeBeau's defense that a corner can play press. Most plays, I saw him in off coverage and that makes him susceptible to the shorter routes like slants, outs, etc. Needs to learn how to play press coverage effectively. More athlete than technician at this point.
- "Rey"Naudian Slip - On some of the games and highlights that I saw, he hasn't met a return that he doesn't like. He needs to cool his jets and take the safer play at times. Particularly on kickoffs near the end zone where he has a habit of taking it out from deep. Eric Weems can teach him the finer points of returning kicks.
Notes
Jackson never did participate in spring practices while at USC because of his track commitments. It's quite remarkable that he played well without the benefits of spring camp. Some guys just roll out of bed and be great at their profession, he's one. He improved each year under the leadership of former NFL DC Clancy Pendergast (current USC DC). A five star HS recruit that could be the highest ranked in terms of overall talent and stars in the past two draft classes. Native of California.
Final Summary
Yes. I do like the pick. Especially at 18. AJ is a dynamic athlete that can score from anywhere on the field. While he needs some development and refinement as a corner, he has the coaches in place to do it in the form of the greatest DC and a former player DB coach. Defenses will have to spend just that extra amount of time on his offense so it can free up the Titans offense to put in more plays for the regulars. There's no pressure of him having to be The Man with the presence of Logan Ryan. His ball skills are frighteningly good. I expect him to start against Oakland. Seems like a great personality. Teammates rave about his character and work ethic despite his status as a former top recruit. Some top recruits phone it in trying get by with talent but Jackson works at his craft. He likely won't be a true CB1 but has the potentoil to be a great CB2 for years to come.