As the NFL Draft approaches, we take a look at each of the Crimson Tide prospects and decipher which teams are the best fits for them.
Position/Size/Weight/40-Time: SS/6-0/201/Did Not Run
Career Stats: 126 Total Tackles, 7.5 TFL, 1.0 Sack, 12 Pass Deflections, 9 INT (3 TD), 11 Punt Returns – 253 yards/2 TD
Mock Draft Projections: Rounds 3-4
Read More: Eddie Jackson Scouting Report
Best Fits (Ranked):
1st – Cleveland Browns: As much as I hate to see any talented players get sent to Cleveland – as the team seems consistently cursed – Eddie Jackson may still need time to heal from his knee-injury he suffered against Texas A&M this season. The Browns need elite playmakers at basically every position on the field, and the electrifying abilities Jackson brings to the table could help them not just on defense but as a special team’s returner as well. The Browns have the added benefit of not having a closing playoff-window, so there won’t be a need to hurry Jackson’s recovery to get him working in the pre-season workouts and training camps.
2nd – Dallas Cowboys: After losing Safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox to free agency, the Cowboys have a distinct need to re-tool the secondary. With 2015 Draftee Byron Jones already in place at Free Safety, Eddie Jackson could be a key get for Jerry Jones. With wide-receiver Lucky Whitehead set to return as the starting special team’s returner, the addition of Jackson would add depth to the position, allowing Cole Beasley to move away from kick and punt returns. Jackson – much like Byron Jones – comes in as an athletic specimen, but unlike Jones has had elite-level defensive back coaching from Nick Saban already in his back pocket.
3rd – Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers have still yet to recover from the loss of Pro-Bowler safety Eric Weddle a couple of years ago. Not to say Eddie Jackson will be able to fill that hole alone, but he can add enough to the Chargers’ secondary to compliment the pass-rush the front office have been working vigorously to build with Melvin Ingram, Joey Bosa, and Brandon Mebane. His aforementioned quickness also helps to add that extra spark to the return game, and could step in and replace Isaiah Burse immediately.
Jake Weaver is a contributor for TD Alabama Magazine and Bama Hoops Hype. You can contact him via email at [email protected], phone at 205-612-5060, and follow him on Twitter for sports news/commentary @JAWeaver0
