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Green Bay Packers: Pros and Cons of Joshua Jackson

By Mike Wendlandt

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive back Josh Jackson #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes returns a kick during the fourth quarter in front of linebacker E.J. Ejiya #22 of the North Texas Mean Green on September 16, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive back Josh Jackson #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes returns a kick during the fourth quarter in front of linebacker E.J. Ejiya #22 of the North Texas Mean Green on September 16, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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Pro: Ball skills

Jackson was all over the NCAA leaderboards during the 2017 season, racking up eight interceptions to lead the country. Two of those he ran back for touchdowns, both against Wisconsin, on the same type of play. He would jump an out route and beat the receiver back to the ball with ease and take off the other way with an easy score.

Those instincts can’t be taught and make Jackson a good outside corner in a league that gears itself more and more to the passing game.

Jackson also had three interceptions the week before against Ohio State in one of the biggest upsets of last year’s season. Those two weeks, especially, show what Jackson can do when he trusts his instincts. The level of competition didn’t bother him; the magnitude of the game didn’t bother him. He never wavered and made five massive plays during a two-week stretch.

To compare, the Packers as a team in 2017 had 11 interceptions. Damarious Randall led the team with four. Jackson is an immediate upgrade and should help that number improve immediately. The combination of Jackson and Alexander’s instincts can make an immediate difference in an NFC North that can struggle with turnovers at the quarterback position.

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