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5 landing spots for J.C. Jackson in 2022 NFL free agency

By Mike Phillips

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: J.C. Jackson #27 of the New England Patriots warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 10, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: J.C. Jackson #27 of the New England Patriots warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 10, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 19: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Brandin Echols #26 of the New York Jets defends against Kendrick Bourne #84 of the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on September 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 25-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 19: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Brandin Echols #26 of the New York Jets defends against Kendrick Bourne #84 of the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on September 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 25-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

2. Top landing spots for J.C. Jackson – New York Jets

The New York Jets happen to need a top cornerback and would love nothing more than to hurt one of their AFC East rivals by signing Jackson. GM Joe Douglas opted not to sign a free-agent cornerback last season as part of an organizational strategy to give valuable reps to young players and it did pay off to a degree.

Bryce Hall, Michael Carter II and Brandin Echols developed into capable NFL players, with Hall flashing the potential of a No. 2 corner, but the problem was that none of them made enough plays on the ball. The Jets recorded just seven interceptions as a team and only two came from corners (both by Echols), making a ballhawk like Jackson a perfect addition to Robert Saleh’s defense.

New York also has a litany of cap space, entering the offseason with over $48 million in cap room and the potential to create more through cuts and restructured deals. That should be music to the ears of Jackson’s agents, who will likely look to exceed the franchise tag value for cornerbacks on an annual basis.

That cap space can help the Jets win a bidding war for Jackson if they deem him to be their top target. Douglas has shown some restraint over the past two years, setting walkaway numbers if bidding got too high for New York’s comfort level, which could happen here with the Jets having a lot of needs to fill already.

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