The Green Bay Packers went into the 2018 NFL Draft intent on using some of their picks to shore up their problematic secondary, and they did by spending their first two selections on cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson.
Many view Jackson as a steal for a second-round pick, as he was thought to have the qualities of a first rounder. So far in the preseason, the Packers are discovering why they were lucky to have Jackson fall into their laps that deep in the draft.
According to Pro Football Focus, the former Iowa Hawkeyes star is the best among all cornerbacks that played through the first three weeks of the preseason.
Sick of Josh Jackson tweets?
Best CB this preseason. pic.twitter.com/VA8oeRa2w2
— PFF GB Packers (@PFF_Packers) August 29, 2018
Jackson’s brightest moment in the preseason thus far happened in Week 2’s 51-34 demolition job of a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He picked off a Joshua Dobbs pass and ran the ball back 22 yards before finding the end zone.
Josh Jackson was not among the speediest cornerbacks during the combine, clocking in with just a 4.56 time in the 40-yard dash, but he’s a smart player who is quick to detect plays before they happen, allowing him to make plays on the ball. He is going to be a big help for the Packers, who allowed 236.8 passing yards per game in 2017.
In his final year with the Hawkeyes, Jackson led the nation with eight interceptions to go with two touchdowns while finishing third with 168 yards returned off of those picks. He's demonstrated those ball skills in the preseason and will look to do so when the games count as well.
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