NEWSLETTER
The 2017 NFL Draft class was regarded as one deep and talented at cornerback and safety, so it was fitting that the Chicago Bears took a player in the fifth round with experience at both positions.
With the the 112th pick in the draft, the Bears selected defensive back Eddie Jackson from Alabama.
Here is a snapshot of what Pro Football Focus’ advanced statistics say about the newest addition to the Bears’ secondary:
Pick 112: The Bears select Alabama safety Eddie Jackson. #BearsDraft #NFLDraft
Profile: https://t.co/BF3vrIQRT0 pic.twitter.com/27mSWBDPfn
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 29, 2017
THE PICK (ROUND 4, PICK 112)
STATS TO KNOW
HIGHLIGHTS
NFL COMBINE RESULTS
THREE STRENGTHS
THREE WEAKNESSES
INJURY CONCERNS
A broken leg caused Jackson’s season at Alabama to be cut short. Then, days before the NFL Draft, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported Jackson had surgery to remove a screw from the surgically repaired leg. Ouch. The good news here is that Rapoport also reports Jackson will be available to resume football activities soon, including rookie mini-camps. He will be three years removed from an ACL injury he suffered in 2014.
WHERE JACKSON FITS
The Bears’ secondary struggled to come away with interceptions, bringing down only eight interceptions on the 530 pass attempts thrown their way. A healthy Jackson can help fix that problem with how he hunts down passes. His injury history is a concern, but he won’t be expected to come in right away and carry a heavy workload with free agent signee Quintin Demps and 2015 draft pick Adrian Amos entrenched as starters.
Ideally, Jackson grows into a ballhawking free safety who isn’t a complete negative against the run while also being a solid contributor as a punt return specialist.
TWEETS
Appreciate the @ChicagoBears For The Opportunity I'm Ready To Get To Work And Compete..God Is Good #Letsgetit?
— Eddie Jackson (@EJackson_4) April 29, 2017
⏰ Wake up, @EJackson_4! ⏰
You're a Chicago Bear. #BearsDraft pic.twitter.com/3zPFTC00ab— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 29, 2017
