Marty Hurney appears to have made quite the selection in the second round.
Drafted with the 55th overall pick of this year’s draft, LSU’s Donte Jackson has not-so-quietly (Jackson doesn’t do anything quietly) become a key player on Carolina’s defense – he leads the team in interceptions with three, is second to James Bradberry in disrupted passes with five, has one forced fumble on the year and is second in team tackles (27) behind none other than the face of Carolina’s defense himself, Luke Kuechly (38).
Jackson is also one of seven players 22 and under since 2000 with three interceptions in his first five games, as well as one of 36 rookies since 1970 to do so. At a position that was a dire need for the Panthers after 2017, the team appears to have hit pay dirt with their second round rookie – it’s no surprise Ron Rivera called picking Jackson a “home run” last week.
So with that said, what on tape is allowing him to be such a key addition to the Panthers’ defense and arguably a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year? Let’s discover the answer for this film breakdown. One of the most important attributes in an Eric Washington defense is being a willing tackler – not only on pass plays where the ball comes to you, but on run plays where you must pursue and get downhill on a rusher.
On this play against the Cowboys, Jackson is assigned with guarding receiver Tavon Austin, so obviously he’s in man coverage – you’ll see him at the bottom of these images crossing to the top.
Austin motions across the field, so Jackson follows him, signaling to the Cowboys’ offense that Jackson is playing man – Carolina is playing Cover 1.
The actual design of the play is a jet sweep to Austin. Austin is a limited player from a route running perspective, but is known for his speed.
Jackson manages to reach Austin before he can do serious damage…
…and tackles him right at the line of scrimmage. The right guard in space is supposed to block Jackson, but the shifty corner is able to get by him without much of a challenge.
Now let’s take a look at Jackson in pass coverage. You’ll see Jackson at the bottom of these images, matched up with John Ross.
Against the Bengals, Jackson picked off Andy Dalton twice, both times going against Ross.
Dalton is looking Ross’ direction the entire way, and Jackson knows it. He backpedals to follow Ross…
…then as Ross cuts towards the sidelines…
…that’s when Jackson runs Ross’ route for him. He pushes Ross out of the way…
…and steals this pass for his first of two interceptions on the day. Today’s defenses must adjust to the new rules which have made it more challenging to face offenses. Instead of preventing yards – which can be done but with the tackling rules in place, it’s infuriating – building around an emphasis on collecting turnovers must be present; since 2011, the Panthers are 67-5-1 when winning the turnover battle, including 14 straight wins.
Jackson has the quickness and toughness to do so, despite his small stature. His play on the ball here is fantastic, as he instantly wins leverage on Ross, helping him make a spectacular sideline interception.
Finally, against the Redskins, Jackson lines up against Paul Richardson in a bunch formation. He’s a the top of these images.
Alex Smith is looking Richardson’s direction the entire way, and like with John Ross, Jackson sees this.
Jackson goes in for the kill…
…as Smith releases this pass.
Jackson is able to arrive to Richardson in time, breaking up the pass.
Jackson does a terrific job of planting his feet at the head of Richardson’s route, accelerating towards the receiver, going inside his window and using his outside arm to knock the ball out of Richardson’s hands.
A second round rookie being an impact player this quickly is extremely impressive – if he starts all 16 games this season, he’ll be only the ninth cornerback drafted in the second round to start every game since the merger; he’s already one of only eight players in NFL history to grab three interceptions in his first three games. Jackson has shown tremendous ball skills, physical toughness, awareness, quickness and strong tackling ability; as he gets more experience, that’s when he’ll get even better, and he’ll face a big test in Philadelphia against Carson Wentz and the Eagles on Sunday.
Two of the last three DROY’s have been cornerbacks, and even though Derwin James and Denzel Ward are frontrunners at this point, Donte Jackson is making a case to be squarely in the discussion.
