By snagging a receiver in the second round, the Bengals got what they really needed in the National Football League draft.
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Cincinnati’s decision to draft Jackson out of Houston has to stem from having to play the Pittsburgh Steelers twice annually, which means the Bengals need an answer on the outside to stop All-Pro wideout Antonio Brown.
The Cincinnati Bengals have made the AFC Playoffs five straight years with much of their strong corps intact. Of course, Jackson III is a great cornerback, but the Bengals are already deep at that position. Then the three teams right ahead of the Bengals also took receivers, including Jay Gruden’s Redskins – who got TCU’s Josh Doctson at No. 22 – and Mike Zimmer’s Vikings, who took Mississippi’s Laquon Treadwell. He can be a ballhawk when he wants to, so the Bengals could potentially be getting a playmaker on top of a player who can shut down speedy receivers.
Jackson III has tremendous length, size and agility. And he was one of the fastest cornerbacks in the draft, allowing him to break up 23 passes last season. Sure, a run on the receiver position just before the Bengals’ first-round pick didn’t help my cause, but that didn’t matter. So I felt they were coming, I definitely did. Some had hoped for a WR but Jackson is a solid addition to the defense.
“He has exceptional speed”, defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle said.
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“I think this guy has the highest upside of all the corners with his abilities and talents”.
