NY Giants: Why Adoree’ Jackson solidifies the pass defense
The NY Giants gave up 237.9 yards per game in 2020, ranking them 16th in the NFL in pass defense. The problem surely was not with James Bradberry as the free agent pick up proved himself worthy of being called a shutdown corner. Where the Giants struggled was on the opposite side of Bradberry. A revolving door of cornerbacks (or versatile safeties) attempted to lock it down against mostly #2 and #3 receivers, but to no avail.
2019 first-round pick De’Andre Baker was to be the heir apparent to the #2 spot, that did not work as planned, nor did 2018 supplemental draft pick Sam Beal. They tried a late rounder in Corey Ballentine, but he could never find his footing on the outside. The Giants even went the trade route by acquiring Issac Yiadom from Denver.
Yiadom got the snaps, but never felt comfortable in the defense, especially zone coverage, and his tackling was sub-par. Ryan Lewis stepped up next and actually played a very nice game against Dallas, but he was inconsistent after that and an eventual hamstring injury ended his season.
Adoree’ Jackson brings a ton of athletism to the NY Giants
Back to Yiadom, then to another 2019 draft pick in Julian Love. Love a college cornerback at Notre Dame, ended up learning to play safety for the Giants before they finally gave him a shot at the perimeter in the last three games of the year. Love surprised but with only three games the Giants were not going to rest on him as the savior.
Bringing on the 2020 offseason the Giants made the conscious effort to address the pass rush and were not outwardly focused on the CB #2 spot. Then the Giants arranged for Logan Ryan to meet his former teammate for dinner and attempt to recruit him to the Big Apple. It worked.
The Giants signed the 2017 NFL draft first-rounder to a 3-year, $39 million contract. He was a 2016 Jim Thorpe winner (Top College DB) at USC and came there classified as an “athlete” he did not even play cornerback full time until his junior year. Jackson will bring a certain set of skills as Bradberry’s opposite.
At 5’10 185 pounds, he is small but extremely athletic so if he gets beat in press coverage due to his size, he can get back in line. Brings outright speed and can play off-man coverage and allow the Giants to disguise some zone coverages. Although undersized he is willing to come and support the run with decent tackling.
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Some of the numbers do not scream #1 guy and that is ok. He is being brought in to cover the #2 or #3 receiver and leave #1 to Bradberry. Watch the tape and his potential at this position will far outweigh any inconsistency at the position. The Giants needed a #2 CB, a Robin to Bradberry as Batman. Adoree’ Jackson is finally that player.