The Dallas Cowboys are in dire need of cornerbacks ahead of the 2017 season. Both Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr left the team in free agency. There’s one cornerback that would be a perfect fit for Dallas – USC’s own Adoree Jackson.
Why the Dallas Cowboys Should Draft Adoree Jackson
Jackson announced that he would be declaring for the NFL Draft back in January. He played defensive back in 2016, but played cornerback for the Trojans in his first two seasons.
He won the Jim Thorpe Award last season. The award was given to him for being the nation’s top defensive back. He was also named the PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year. After a 1-3 start, USC won their final nine games of the season. That included a win over Penn State in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Jackson was a stud at USC last season. He recorded 46 tackles and five interceptions. While those stats are impressive, there’s something else that is very impressive about Jackson. He’s very talented in the kick/punt return game.
In his freshman season, he returned 23 kicks and punts for 694 yards and two touchdowns. That was an average of 29.7 yards per return.
Jackson had another amazing performance in 2015. He returned 30 kicks for 690 yards. He didn’t return any kicks for touchdowns, but he did average 23 yards per return. Jackson also impressed in the punt return game, returning 24 kicks for 251 yards and two touchdown.
2016 was his best season at USC. He returned 26 kicks for 767 and scored two touchdowns on kick returns. He also recorded 315 yards and two touchdowns on 20 punt returns.
Not only has Jackson proved to be a star on defense, but he has also contributed to the offense. In his three seasons at USC, he recorded five reception touchdowns. His best season came in his freshman season. He caught 10 passes for 138 yards and three touchdowns.
Cool at the Combine
Jackson continued to impress even after school. At the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine, Jackson ran a 4.42 40-yard dash. He also recorded a 10 inch broad jump and a 36 inch vertical jump.
The 4.42 official 40 was the third fastest of all cornerbacks. That shows that Jackson can cover some of the best receivers in the NFL, such as Odell Beckham Jr, who the Cowboys face twice a year.
What Adoree Brings to Dallas
When he was drafted, Dak Prescott was seen as a versatile player. He had done well in both the passing game and rushing game. If Tony Romo had been healthy, Prescott could have been used as a running back and receiver or even in wildcat plays.
The same could be said for Jackson. He spent time as receiver, cornerback and defensive back in college. Since the biggest need for Dallas is a cornerback, should they draft him, he would be used there most.
If needed, however, he could also be used in an offensive scheme. With Prescott throwing passes his way, he could show to be an impressive receiver for the team. He could also be used in the running game.
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