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The Philadelphia Eagles signed three members of the 2024 New York Giants since NFL free agency began. One of them was veteran cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, whom the Birds were previously interested in during the 2021 offseason.
Let’s learn more about the new member of Philly’s secondary by getting a Giants perspective on him. Here’s what Ed Valentine of Big Blue View had to say about Jackson through answers to my questions.
1 – Can you recap his time with the Giants?
Jackson signed a three-year contract with the Giants in 2021, when then-GM Dave Gettleman was desperately trying to upgrade the talent on the roster. He was a good player, never a great one who changed games.
He sort of wore out his welcome at the end of 2023 with some business decisions. Thus, it was surprising that he ended up returning in 2024. I think he and the Giants wanted to move on, but the Giants couldn’t find a veteran cornerback and Jackson couldn’t find a job.
He was a bit player in 2024.
2 – I noticed you said Jackson to the Eagles “is sure to cause some gnashing of teeth in the Giants fan base.” Are fans indeed annoyed that he ended up in Philly?
That’s just me thinking “oh, watch him go to Philly and do things he never did in New York.” I don’t think fans care that much. They were pretty much done with Jackson.
3 – What are his strengths?
Jackson is a good athlete and not a bad coverage cornerback.
4 – What are his weaknesses?
Jackson has just four interceptions in an 8-year career. He doesn’t make plays on the ball, and doesn’t appear to catch the ball well. He doesn’t tackle particularly well, and at times it is clear he doesn’t really want to.
5 – Anything to know about him off the field?
He fancies himself as a really good basketball player. I played high school basketball and I asked him one time if I wanted to challenge somebody to a game of HORSE, who was the best shooter on the Giants’ roster. He said “ME.” Sadly, we never played.
BLG’s take: As is the case with most of the Eagles’ free agent additions, there’s no guarantee Jackson makes the 53-man roster. He’ll probably need to have a good offseason (or at least not have a totally bad one) to justify his spot on the team. Assuming Jackson makes the cut, he could be this year’s Isaiah Rodgers in terms of serving as an experienced backup cornerback who will play if one of the three starters gets hurt. We’re projecting that those starters will be Quinyon Mitchell and Kelee Ringo on the outside and Cooper DeJean in the slot. It’s also possible that Jackson could factor in as a punt and/or kick returner. If not the primary option, he provides depth for those roles.
