The No. 26 is currently worn by Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson. Here’s a look at his potential contribution in Carolina for the 2019 season.
Donte Jackson, Cornerback
Bio
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 180 lbs
Age: 23 years
College: LSU
Experience: 2 years
Donte Jackson had a strong rookie season in 2018. After being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the second round (No. 55 overall) the speedy corner from LSU started all 16 games and was highly productive. His PFF rating of 65.0 was the 64th best among all cornerbacks and received an “above average” grade. His 896 snaps played (nearly 90 percent of defense’s total snaps) was fourth highest on the defensive side of the ball last year.
Jackson distinguished himself as perhaps the NFL’s top rookie corner in 2018. Per Football Reference, he led all rookie cornerbacks in both total tackles (74) and interceptions (four). Among the highlights of his rookie season was his memorable 99-yard “pick two” interception against Drew Brees on Monday Night Football.
While his on-field play was solid for a rookie, he wasn’t portrayed very well in Amazon’s “All or Nothing” series that followed the 2018 Panthers. There were clips that made Jackson come across as immature and difficult. He voiced his displeasure on Twitter about what he thought was selective editing to make him look bad. The Panthers then worked with him to publish a piece on the team’s website where Jackson “set the record straight” about how he was depicted in the series. Let’s hope the young, talented corner takes this as a learning experience and matures from here.
Assuming Donte Jackson continues to improve, his value over the next three years will significantly exceed his cap hit. As the No. 55 overall pick his contract is four years at a bargain $4.8 million. His cap hit over the next three years will be $1.1 million in 2019, $1.3 million in 2020, and $1.5 million in 2021. That’s major value right there.
The Panthers will especially need Donte to be a lockdown corner in the second half of the season. Between Weeks 10 and 17 Carolina faces Drew Brees (twice), Matt Ryan (twice), Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Andrew Luck. This could be the year where Donte Jackson grows from “above average” as a rookie into a Pro Bowl-caliber player. He’s got the talent and he’ll have the opportunity. Now he just needs to deliver.