NFL Draft profile: Iowa ballhawk Josh Jackson has Pro Bowl potential
Josh Jackson led the nation in interceptions last year at Iowa and should be a high NFL Draft pick who grows into a future shutdown cornerback.
If your favorite NFL team is looking for help stopping the pass, selecting Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson will go a long way toward helping. The Hawkeyes ballhawk broke out last season with eight interceptions to put himself on the radar of NFL scouts and talent evaluators.
With the league becoming a pass-happy version of the NFL with spread offenses and multiple receiver sets, finding as many great cornerbacks as you can has become imperative. No longer can teams rely on having one solid cornerback, now teams need two and three capable corners.
If your team is looking for a corner or has been linked to Jackson in mock drafts, below you can find my thoughts on the type of player he’ll be at the next level, based on his college career at Iowa. In essence, this will answer the question, “What did [my team] get in Josh Jackson?”
Josh Jackson, cornerback, Iowa
Jackson began his career at Iowa as a reserve receiver before converting to cornerback as a sophomore and by his junior season led the nation with eight interceptions.
He got to watch and learn from former Thorpe winner Desmond King at Iowa and has is a better prospect than his former teammate.
Jackson’s experience as a receiver makes him an instinctual corner who plays the ball as well as any cornerback in this class. He wins jump balls. Plays well in big games. And is rarely out of position.
The biggest concern about the 6-1, 192-pounder is whether he’s a one-year wonder or if he just beginning to come into his own. Further, his long speed is a question.
I’m betting on Jackson beginning to scratch the surface with how good he can be. There will be some growing pains as a rookie but bet on Jackson emerging into a team’s No. 1 corner early in his career.