Cowboys 7-Rd Mock Draft v2.0: Finding the X-Factor (2/7)
By Reid Hanson
Round 5, Pick 174
J.C. Jackson, CB, Maryland
Jackson is a 1st or 2nd rounder falling because of off-the-field issues. Before you mute me with your “Randy Gregory Button” please hear me out with this kid…
His behavioral issues are not substance abuse related. I’ve spoken incessantly about how impossible substance abuse issues are to deal with. I mean, maturity wasn’t Randy Gregory’s problem when he failed the drug test at the combine. It was dependency.
So, according to Walter Football, J.C. Jackson was acquitted from a pesky armed robbery charge, but not after being first released from the Florida Gators program. He also was the victim of a shooting that speaks more to the crowd in which he runs (rather than his fault in the situation).
Personal interviews will be huge, as will another change of scenery. I couldn’t find any noteworthy issues he had with Maryland so that’s a mark in the win column, I suppose. So moving on…
Jackson is a heck of a talent. He’s 6’1” 193lbs and extremely athletic. He had 40 tackles, 7 pass breakups and 3 interceptions last season and appears to have the versatility to play both outside CB as well as FS. He’s strong and aggressive. All in all, he doesn’t have nickel ability but he figures to be a starting cornerback someday.
If you’re noticing a theme of this draft it’s attacking value. And J.C. Jackson provides tremendous value in any round after the 3rd…provided the Cowboys feel good with him off-the-field.