Green Bay Packers: 3 Early breakout candidates for 2019 season
3. Josh Jackson, CB
No matter who has been in charge in the Green Bay Packers front office, the organization of late has not been shy about trying to address the secondary via the draft. In 2017, they used second-round picks on cornerback Kevin King and safety Josh Jones. Last year, they used both their first-round and second-round picks on corners, nabbing Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson, respectively. Then, of course, the Packers traded up for Darnell Savage in the first round in 2019.
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Of that group of defensive backs that the Packers have taken, though, it feels safe to say that only Alexander has proven much of anything positive to this point in his career. And while the returns on the Louisville product after one season are incredibly favorable, the Green Bay defense needs more from that crop of players.
When the Packers were able to tab Jackson in the middle of the second round, most analysts considered the pick a steal as the Iowa product was projected as a fringe first-round prospect. However, Jackson’s rookie season was ultimately disappointing as he notched 10 passes defensed but no interceptions in 16 games played (including 10 starts).
Given the struggles of King through two years, the versatility of Jackson and the level of play that he showed in college, he seems primed to get an opportunity to be better in 2019. If that is the case, Jackson has the ability to make the most of it with a more productive and effective year in the Green Bay defense, thus solidifying the secondary as a whole alongside Alexander, Savage and new addition Adrian Amos.