Chicago Bears: The Case for Josh Jackson at No. 8

Why he should be considered at No. 8 overall

Last year, Jackson was an absolute terror to opposing offenses.  He finished the season with eight interceptions, which tied an FBS single-season record. Jackson also broke up another 17 passes. Simply put, he is a ballhawk.  Without question, he has the most elite ball skills of any defensive back in the draft.  In case there are any doubters out there, I submit the following:

Combine results don’t tell the whole story

Inevitably, every year players rise and fall in the draft based solely on combine performances.  While combines are an extremely valuable assessment tool, they shouldn’t negate what you see on film.  As Adam Schefter often jokes, his two best sources are his left eye and his right eye.  And to anyone watching, Jackson is a top ten pick.

For those that are still concerned about his 40-yard dash time, here are a few results of some other defensive backs in the NFL:

• Joe Haden: 4.57
• Marcus Peters: 4.53
• Josh Norman: 4.57

Jackson’s time is comparable to those stud defensive backs.  These players are also proof that “sprinting speed” is much different than “football speed.”   A player may be able to line up and sprint for 40 yards with ease.  However, it’s another matter to be able to lineup opposite a receiver and stay step for step with him.  Jackson unquestionably has football speed.  Unfortunately, teams sometimes fall in love with combine performers.  They betray their own evaluations and convince themselves that a player is not who they thought he was.  This can cause a team to miss out on a superstar talent.

Imagine if the Seattle Seahawks placed too much emphasis on Richard Sherman’s 40-yard dash time.  They would have missed out on an elite defensive back and a key contributor to their Super Bowl run.  Now let’s see how Jackson stacks up against Sherman’s combine performance.

Jackson                                 Sherman

• 6-foot-1        Height          6-foot-3
• 192                 Weight         195
• 4.56                40-yard        4.56
• 18                    Bench           16
• 38                    Vertical         38

As you can see, those numbers are eerily similar.  This comparison also makes it clear that combine performances (especially when it contradicts the film) are not necessarily the best indicator of future performance.

Tape shows Jackson’s dominance

As mentioned above, putting too much stock in an NFL combine performance could be a mistake.  NFL teams spend months attending games, watching film and gathering as much information as they can on a prospect.  Through that process, they evaluate the player and his potential to play at the next level.

From that standpoint, what a player does in actual game situations is more important than what he does in an NFL combine scenario that will never be replicated in a game.  At no time is a defensive back asked to line up in a sprinter’s stance and run 40 yards.  If you don’t believe me, then take a listen to NFL defensive back Su’s Cravens explain why 40-yard dash times don’t matter.  However, of the things defensive backs are actually asked to do on the field, Jackson does them all very well.

Jackson’s tape shows a number of things.  First, as stated above, it shows his ball skills.  Adding a playmaker like Jackson on defense would be invaluable for the Chicago Bears.  This is especially true in the NFC North where the Bears will face Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, and Matthew Stafford a total of six times per year.  Turnovers do a couple of things.  First, they put the opposing team’s defense right back on the field.  Second, they usually give the team’s offense a short field. Both would benefit the Bears’ young offense.

Second, his tape shows his tremendous football instincts and high football IQ.  There is a reason Jackson was able to create so many turnovers.  Those do not just happen.  Rather, Jackson routinely placed himself in a position to create turnovers due to his instincts and preparation.  Fortune favors the prepared and judging by the results, no one was more prepared each week than Josh Jackson.

Finally, Jackson is the prototypical defensive back in a Vic Fangio defense.  He is a tall, big-bodied corner, who is also extremely versatile.  He played a lot of zone coverage in college, but the tape confirms he has the ability to play press as well. His large stature allows him to get physical at the line of scrimmage, but he is still fluid enough to open up his hips and track the wide receiver.  Additionally, if his wide receiver catches the ball, he is not going far.  Last season, Jackson did not allow more than 18 yards after the catch in a single game.

Jackson is exactly the type of player this Chicago Bears’ defense has been yearning for.  He has the ability to make the plays that would bring the Soldier Field crowd to its feet and set up Matt Nagy’s offense for success.

Next: Who's on Ryan Pace's list at No. 8?

Bottom Line

At the end of the ay, the NFL Draft is about improving your team and finding an impact player who will be a star for years.  NFL teams can overthink the pick and go against what their eyes have told them for months.  Josh Jackson is a tremendous football player who would bring elite playmaking ability to the Chicago Bears’ defense.  When you block out the noise of mock drafts and prognosticators, you are left with a player who deserves to be a top ten overall pick.