Adoree’ Jackson

Eagles To Meet With Adoree’ Jackson

Adoree’ Jackson is going on an NFC East tour. After his scheduled meeting with the Giants, the former Titans cornerback will get together with the Eagles (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). In addition, the Rams, Chiefs, Raiders and Cardinals have also shown interest, according to Mike Jones of USA Today (on Twitter).

[RELATED: Giants To Meet With Jackson]

The Eagles have yet to add a cornerback this week, even though it’s one of their biggest needs. The group is headlined by Darius Slay, but they don’t have much after that. Also, Slay was less-than-stellar in 2020. With Avonte Maddox set to return to his preferred slot duties, the Eagles will need to find a CB2 one way or another. Jackson, who looked to be one of the league’s best young corners in 2019, wouldn’t be a bad choice.

Jackson would also be a good fit for the Rams, who have yet to make their mark in free agency this year. They probably won’t be able to offer him the best deal, but the USC product could be swayed by the opportunity to return home.

Giants To Meet With Adoree’ Jackson

Adoree’ Jackson is set to meet with the Giants (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). This marks the first known visit for the former Titans first-round pick, who was released earlier this week. 

Jackson graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 8 overall corner in 2019. It was a big step up from ’17 and ’18, though he still garnered top-40 finishes in each year. Unfortunately, a knee injury limited him to just three games in 2020. After a bad platform year, Jackson finds himself looking for work in the worst possible climate. Also, the Titans didn’t do him any favors by releasing him just this past Tuesday.

The Giants’ D was awful in 2019, but things improved last year under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. The G-Men ranked 12th in yards per game (349), ninth in points allowed (22.3), and a much more respectable 16th in passing yards surrendered (237). Teamed with James Bradberry and Logan Ryan, Jackson could nudge the secondary along even further.

Titans Release Adoree’ Jackson, Dennis Kelly

After this year, players attached to fifth-year options will be protected from free-of-charge releases. But the Titans will take advantage of that opportunity in its final year. They are set to release former first-round pick Adoree’ Jackson.

The Titans are cutting both Jackson and starting right tackle Dennis Kelly, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Jackson’s option season was set to cost the Titans $10.2MM. They will turn that entire amount into cap space, a luxury that will not be available to teams beginning next year.

This is certainly not a surprise, however. Jackson played in only three games last season; a knee injury cost the 2017 first-round pick most of his season. The Titans shelved Jackson on IR ahead of Week 1, and although they activated him off the injured list in early November, Jackson continued to miss time. He will be entering free agency at a bad time, coming off his worst season and doing so after the salary cap dropped by $16MM. Some interest figures to come Jackson’s way, however. He graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 8 overall corner in 2019 and landed in the advanced metrics site’s top 40 corners in ’17 and ’18.

Tennessee will unveil a new group of corners next year. The Titans have now cut Jackson and Malcolm Butler. They will also have a new right tackle.

After the Titans passed on Jack Conklin‘s fifth-year option, they drafted Isaiah Wilson in the 2020 first round. After a disastrous rookie year, Wilson is now with the Dolphins. The Titans used Kelly at right tackle throughout last season, elevating him from the swing role he previously held. Kelly’s most recent extension ran through the 2022 season.

Overall, the Titans will create more than $17MM in cap space by making these moves. That will bump the team’s total to nearly $30MM, per OverTheCap. They also will have to replace two key cogs.

Titans Activate Adoree’ Jackson From IR

The Titans are continuing to take it slow with Adoree’ Jackson. They will take the atypical step of activating Jackson ahead of their Week 10 game but declaring him out.

Jackson is back on Tennessee’s 53-man roster, but the fourth-year cornerback will not play against the Colts on Thursday. Jackson returned to practice Oct. 21, meaning Wednesday marked the 21-day deadline for the Titans to activate the corner in order to have him participate in the 2020 season.

A knee injury cropped up just before the start of the regular season, and the Titans shelved Jackson on IR ahead of Week 1. The team will give the three-year starter at least 10 more days to work his way back. Tennessee faces Baltimore on Sunday, Nov. 22.

The 2017 first-round pick has started 39 games in 43 appearances as a pro. Tennessee picked up Jackson’s fifth-year option in May. The Titans have struggled this season defending aerial attacks; they rank 24th in pass defense DVOA. The team rearranged some pieces recently, cutting Johnathan Joseph and Vic Beasley. A Jackson return would certainly help the unit as the Titans push for their first AFC South title in 12 years.

To make room on their 53-man roster, the Titans placed cornerback Dane Cruikshank on IR.

Injury Notes: Baker, Thomas, Hunter

Cardinals star safety Budda Baker is playing through a torn UCL in his thumb, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports. Baker plans to play in Arizona’s game against the Lions this afternoon and then undergo surgery this week. Although the same injury sidelined Saints QB Drew Brees for six weeks last season, Baker obviously does not have to throw the football and believes he will miss only the Cardinals’ Week 4 contest against the Panthers before returning to the field to take on the Jets in Week 5.

Now for more injury-related news regarding a few of the league’s high-profile players:

  • There has been a great deal of talk about Brees’ struggles early this season, but the Saints‘ signal-caller may soon have his top target back. Wide receiver Michael Thomas has looked good in workouts and is eyeing a Week 4 return, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
  • The Vikings need a boost on both sides of the ball, and they are clearly missing DE Danielle Hunter. As Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network tweets, Hunter, who is dealing with a herniated disc in his neck, is eligible to come off IR next week but is unlikely to be ready to return by then. However, he is regaining strength, and the team remains optimistic that he will be back this season.
  • Titans WR A.J. Brown is dealing with a bone bruise in his knee, and the injury is a significant one, according to Schefter (via Twitter). Brown’s knee has not responded as well to treatment as the team had hoped, and he might end up missing more than just this afternoon’s game against Minnesota.
  • More difficult news for Tennessee. Titans CB Adoree’ Jackson is eligible to come off IR this week, but Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com hears that Jackson may not be sufficiently recovered from his knee injury for that to happen (Twitter link). It’s unclear how much additional time the 2017 first-rounder will miss.
  • 49ers WR Deebo Samuel is likely to return to practice this week, as Rapoport notes (via Twitter). Samuel will be eased into action, and while he probably won’t play in Week 4, the Niners’ top wideout is expected back for the team’s Week 5 bout with the Dolphins.

Titans Place Adoree Jackson On IR

The Titans have placed Adoree Jackson on injured reserve prior to tonight’s opener against the Broncos, per a club announcement. Jackson was limited in practice on Friday with a knee injury, but the club has not offered additional details on the severity of the injury. At minimum, Jackson will miss the next three weeks, per the league’s modified IR rules for this season. 

Jackson was said to be having a strong camp before the injury. Now, the Titans will have to look elsewhere for support opposite of Malcolm Butler. Veteran Johnathan Joseph seems likely to get the nod and second-round rookie Kristian Fulton may also see some additional snaps in the interim.

To round out the group, the Titans have promoted cornerback Tye Smith from the taxi squad. Running back Jeremy McNichols and wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine will also get called up for Monday night’s game against Denver, though they’ll revert back to the p-squad on Tuesday morning.

Last year, Jackson graded out as the eighth-best cornerback in the NFL, according to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus. This offseason, the Titans made the no-brainer move to pick up his fifth-year option for 2021. After this season, the Titans are expected to discuss a long-term deal with the USC product to keep him for years to come.

Titans To Pick Up Adoree’ Jackson’s Option

The Titans will exercise Adoree’ Jackson’s fifth-year option, according to Paul Kuharsky (Twitter link). He’s now under contract for the 2021 season for roughly $10MM. Meanwhile, wide receiver Corey Davis’ option has been turned down. 

[RELATED: Titans To Decline Corey Davis’ Option]

Last year, Jackson graded out as the eighth-best cornerback in the NFL, according to the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus. Even with a raise to an eight-figure salary, the 24-year-old (25 in September) profiles as a major bargain. After this, the Titans are expected to discuss a long-term deal with the USC product to keep him out of reach for rival teams in early 2022.

Jackson has offered solid defense as an outside corner, but GM Jon Robinson recently suggested that the Titans may kick him over to nickel this season. Alternatively, they could use some combination of rising sophomore Amani Hooker and second-round rookie Kristian Fulton to handle the slot.

As shown in PFR’s fifth-year option tracker, there are still a number of decisions that need to be made on 2017 first-round picks between now and the Sunday deadline.

Titans Sign Rookie Adoree’ Jackson

The Titans have officially signed Adoree’ Jackson. The USC cornerback was a first-round pick, taken with the No. 18 overall selection. Adoree’ Jackson (vertical)

Tennessee went into draft night with two first round picks amidst tons of speculation that they would make moves with the No. 5 and No. 18 picks. Ultimately, they stood pat with both, selecting Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis at No. 5 overall and taking Jackson at No. 18. Some expected the Titans to select Ohio State corner Marshon Lattimore at No. 5 while addressing wide receiver or a defensive position in the teens, but they flipped the script by taking Davis first and waiting to select Jackson.

Jackson had a strong junior year with the Trojans as he totaled 55 tackles (including two tackles for a loss) and five interceptions. In addition to stepping up his coverage skills in his final collegiate season, Jackson impressed with his play on special teams as he had two kickoff return TDs and two punt return TDs.

The Titans are still working to complete deals with Davis, third round wide receiver Taywan Taylor, and fifth round linebacker Jayon Brown.

NFL Draft Rumors: Panthers, McCaffrey, Redskins

Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman believes that there are “half a dozen” three down backs to be had in this year’s draft and estimated that RB is one of the strongest groups, along with defensive end and secondary positions (link via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer). When talking to reporters today, the GM was asked he considers Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey to be one of those six players.

He can run it. He can catch it. I guess that’s three downs. [McCaffrey] has certainly shown he can carry the load at Stanford,” the GM said.

There has been lots of talk about Carolina targeting a running back at No. 8 overall. Leonard Fournette has been the popular prognostication for the Panthers there, but McCaffrey might also be in the mix. Then again, if Gettleman sees four other tailbacks as well-rounded players, then he might be willing to hold off on addressing the position. Beyond Fournette and McCaffrey, there are also standouts like FSU’s Dalvin Cook, Tennessee’s Alvin Kamara, and Texas’ D’Onta Foreman to consider.

Here’s the latest draft buzz:

  • The Redskins are smitten with Temple linebacker Haason Reddick, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (Twitter links) hears. Washington currently picks at No. 17 overall, so Miller believes that acquiring him would require the team to trade up.
  • USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson didn’t take a visit with the Patriots, but there’s been contact between the team and the player, Doug Kyed of NESN tweets. The Patriots may have to get back into the first round in order to get in the mix for him, however. As of this writing, the Pats’ first selection doesn’t come until the third round (No. 72 overall). Jackson rates as the 37th best player on Daniel Jeremiah’s big board and some draft analysts have him up even higher.
  • Two weeks ago, Falcons coach Dan Quinn put Mizzou’s Charles Harris and Kansas State’s Jordan Willis through a workout side-by-side (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com).

Draft Notes: Watson, Texans, Eagles, Bolles

Deshaun Watson‘s pre-draft tour will go through an interesting place early this week. The former Clemson star passer will make a trip to Houston and meet with the Texans, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter), who adds the visit will commence on Monday and Tuesday. This is the Texans’ first known summit with one of the high-profile quarterbacks expected to come off the board in Round 1.

The Texans may not have hosted such passers, but the team is expected to take a quarterback early, per CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora. The reporter believes Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes won’t get past the Texans at No. 25. Watson has visited the 49ers, Browns, Jaguars and Cardinals thus far.

Houston hasn’t taken a quarterback in the first round of the draft since its first-ever draft pick (David Carr, 2002). Watson could require the Texans to trade up, being connected to the Browns at No. 12, but La Canfora noted recently the post-Mitch Trubisky tier of quarterbacks’ destinations are difficult to pin down. It’s not completely out of the question Watson is there at No. 25, but it would be unlikely.

Here’s more from the 2017 draft class.

  • Gareon Conley‘s early-week itinerary finally appears set. After some confusion, the Ohio State cornerback will be visiting the Jaguars on Monday then pack up for Floram Park, N.J., for a Jets powwow on Tuesday, Rapoport reports (on Twitter). Conley recently adjusted his travel schedule, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, after initially being scheduled to visit the Jets on Monday. Conley, interestingly, may be benefiting from doubts about his former Buckeyes teammate’s health. Perception about Marshon Lattimore‘s hamstring trouble could help elevate Conley’s stock, which looks to have risen into the top 10 and possibly the top five.
  • In more cornerback news, USC’s Adoree’ Jackson has a busy schedule lined up this week. The former Trojans standout will meet with three teams — the Eagles, Rams and Texans — in the coming days, per Rapoport (on Twitter). Jackson’s first stop this week will be in Philadelphia, where cornerback is a need area.
  • The Broncos‘ biggest need is probably at left tackle, and the team will meet with another expected first-round pick here in Garett Bolles. The Utah blocker will trek to Denver for a meeting this week, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. Denver met with Alabama’s Cam Robinson previously. Bolles will be 25 as a rookie, but the Broncos are believed to have “high interest” in him. Two of Pro Football Focus’ worst tackles in 2016, Donald Stephenson and Ty Sambrailo, represent the Broncos’ current top options on the left side.
  • Previously connected to an April Giants meeting, David Njoku will travel to New Jersey on Monday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets. The Giants are “very high” on the Miami tight end, and also being believed to have O.J. Howard at or near the top of their draft board, it’s safe to assume Big Blue is targeting tight ends. The team has not had a difference-maker at this position in many years. Adding one would stand to give Eli Manning yet another weapon after the Giants signed Brandon Marshall last month.