Green Bay Packers: 5 Players who could surprise in 2019

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SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 15: Josh Jackson #37 of the Green Bay Packers warms up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 15, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

1. Josh Jackson, CB

All the focus this offseason seems to be gravitating to cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Kevin King, and rightfully so. Alexander played at a Pro Bowl level at times last season as a rookie, while King has shown plenty of promise when he hasn’t been injured over his first two seasons. Both Alexander and King figure to be the Packers’ first two options at cornerback heading into 2019.

But don’t forget about Josh Jackson, Green Bay’s second-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. A former Jim Thorpe award-winner in college while at Iowa in 2017, Jackson struggled during his rookie campaign with the Packers.

Plagued by personal fouls, he led the entire team in both total penalties (eight) and penalty yards (75). Jackson’s biggest fallback was putting his hands on defenders in the middle of routes.

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Don’t get it twisted, though. Jackson was drafted high (45th overall) for a reason, and the Packers will be banking on the sophomore corner to take a major jump in Year 2. He was the starting nickel cornerback during organized team activities earlier this past month, so clearly defensive coordinator Mike Pettine plans to utilize Jackson plenty in 2019. Jackson could be a big reason for Green Bay’s turnaround on defense.

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