Chicago Bears Draft Scout: Josh Jackson

Is Josh Jackson the starting cornerback the Chicago Bears need to draft in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft?

Josh Jackson was a starting cornerback for the Iowa Hawkeyes this year. He had a breakout year and is regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the draft. Jackson led all of college football with 8 interceptions on the year, followed by his 48 total tackles. Jackson should be drafted in the first round, giving the Chicago Bears a couple options. The Bears can draft him with the eight pick overall, they can trade down and pick him with a pick they receive or trade back into the first round.

Measurables:

Age: 21 (turning 22 April 3rd)

School: Iowa

Strengths

Josh Jackson is a playmaker and proved it in the biggest games of the season. Jackson had five interceptions against Big Ten rivals Ohio State and Wisconsin.

Jackson has tremendous ball skills and is considered a ball hawk. This can be attributed to his early career as a wide receiver before converting into a defensive back.

Jackson ran the fifth fastest 20-yard shuffle, posting a blazing fast 4.0. Jackson has the ability to stop and go, as well as change direction, skills that are vital for a cornerback.

Weaknesses

Josh Jackson had a poor 40-yard dash and lacks vertical speed. Running a 4.56 40-yard dash may hurt his stock in the draft, but it isn’t the only factor in deciding a good defensive back. Jackson is able to be beaten on deep routes because he doesn’t have the speed to keep up.

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Jackson lacks the experience of the other defensive backs in the draft with only 14 starts at cornerback.

Comparison

Marcus Peters, Los Angeles Rams

Marcus Peters measured at 6 feet, 197 pounds, and ran a 4.53 40-yard dash. Nearly identical numbers, on top of the fact that both are considered playmakers. Marcus Peters is one of the premier cornerbacks in the NFL due to his ball hawk skills. Peters has 19 interceptions in his first three seasons in the league

Fit for Chicago Bears

Josh Jackson could be a starting cornerback for the Chicago Bears. The Bears signed both Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara to long-term deals. However, that doesn’t mean the Bears won’t draft a defensive back with the eighth overall pick. Josh Jackson could develop as a nickel back to learn the professional game, and get up to speed before taking over a starting role.