I can remember how poorly the NFL scouts spoke of former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Eddie Jackson heading into the 2017 NFL Draft. A broken leg put him on the shelf eight games into the 2016 season. So, there was some obvious concern about injury history. But, a lot of guys miscast him as “soft” anyway. The Chicago Bears invested a fourth round draft pick in the guy. A lot of people thought that was laughable, but Jackson proved them wrong and continues to prove that he can be a top flight defensive back in the NFL.
In NFL.com’s preview of draft prospects last year, it branded Alabama safety Eddie Jackson “an average NFL backup” with “decent instincts and good ball skills but a finesse mentality as a tackler.”
One thousand fifty-five defensive snaps and 129 special-team plays for the Chicago Bears later, Jackson remembers those evaluations. NFL.com wasn’t the only outlet poking holes in his game.
“A lot of people were doubting me on tackling, saying I was a finesse tackler or a finesse player,” Jackson said.
Only 11 NFL players were on the field more in 2017 than Jackson, who joined Chicago in the fourth round in the 2017 NFL Draft. The evaluations on Jackson are different this year than last.
A lot of people don’t realize that the Bears crept into the top 10 in terms of total defense by the end of last season. It’s a team on the rise, for sure, in the NFC North, though there are three other good teams they have to worry about in that division. Nonetheless, first year head coach Matt Nagy is overly impressed with Jackson’s versatility.
And, after watching him play in 2017, what’s not to like!? The guy can hit, has great speed, and has all the ball skills you need in a defensive back. Plus, how mind-blowing is it that only 11 players were on the field more than him last season? It just goes to show you that not only is he proving his critics wrong, but he’s earning the trust of NFL coaches. The Bears are using him as a major chess piece on an already good defense.
It’s a great read, as it’s prone to be coming from the fine folks at AL.com. But, I will continue to wave the flag for Jackson on this site every chance that I get. The “Eddie Jackson = actually good” hill is not one I’m willing to die on quite yet. That’s reserved for Taylor Lewan being an elite left tackle in the NFL, Star Wars not being good, and the second HBK-Taker WrestleMania match being better than the first. But, “Eddie Jackson = actually good” is something I’m at least willing to fight a bit for.
Roll damn Tide.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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