Scouting the AFC North: 3 Bengals FAs Jacksonville Jaguars should target
Cincinnati Bengals. William Jackson. 2. player. 56. . Cornerback
William Jackson could bolster the Jacksonville Jaguars’ secondary.
This Jacksonville team found a starting cornerback in C.J. Henderson, whom they drafted with the ninth overall pick in 2020’s draft. Although a groin injury ended his rookie season prematurely, he should be back in the starting lineup in 2021.
On the other hand, the rest of the Jaguars’ cornerback group isn’t settled, as Sidney Jones, D.J. Hayden, and Greg Mabin are set to become free agents. While they could bring one or even two of them back, they still need to add talent to the unit and William Jackson III will be an option in free agency.
Originally a first-round selection in 2016’s draft, Jackson has become a staple of the Bengals’ secondary, playing in 59 games and starting 48 during his five-year career. After suffering a pectoral injury that made him miss his rookie campaign, he’s defensed at least 11 passes in three of the last four years.
In 2020, Jackson gave up 38 receptions on 74 targets and hasn’t allowed more than 59 percent of the passes thrown his way in the last three years. Also, he’s stayed relatively healthy and has only missed five games in the last four seasons. The Jaguars could plug him into the starting lineup and play opposite Henderson right away.