At this time last year, Adoree’ Jackson stood unsigned after the Giants had attempted to go with younger options at cornerback. The team then re-signed Jackson as insurance, but he played a decreased role compared to his prime years.
The Eagles added the former first-round pick much earlier this offseason, signing him to a one-year, $1.76MM deal ($1MM guaranteed). While it appeared Jackson was back as an NFC East insurance option — this time to cover the prospect of Kelee Ringo not showing starter-level form just yet — the third preseason week may be a sign of something more.
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Jackson has worked with the Eagles’ starters during each of the past two practices, per the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane (subscription required). During this time, Ringo has lined up with the defending Super Bowl champions’ second-team defense. Jackson, 30 in September, has 82 starts on his resume. Only five came last season, and he joined Azeez Ojulari in leaving New York for Philadelphia.
Pro Football Focus graded Jackson’s part-time 2024 season well, placing him as a top-40 CB regular. That came after a down 2023, when Jackson was switched to the slot in training camp and then returned to his boundary role in-season. PFF graded Jackson 15th and 31st, respectively, in his first two Giants seasons.
The Eagles signed Jackson after an intended aim to retain Isaiah Rodgers failed; the Vikings signed the 2024 Philly contributor to a two-year, $11MM deal. Jackson did operated as the Giants’ No. 1 corner in 2022, after the team made James Bradberry a cap casualty (paving his road to the Eagles), but did not generate much free agency interest in 2024 or this year. Ringo played behind Rodgers in 2024, seeing 112 snaps.
Jackson or Ringo, in the event the 2023 fourth-rounder can join some of his former Georgia teammates as an Eagles starter, usage also will depend on Cooper DeJean. The fast-emerging defender will be used at multiple positions. Although the slot remains DeJean’s primary role, he has seen time at both safety and outside corner during camp. Vic Fangio said (via McLane) the plan is for DeJean to man the slot in sub-packages, as opposed to a situation where he aligns on the boundary next to another slot player. That makes sense, as it still capitalizes on DeJean’s strengths.
A DeJean-at-safety look would also open a role for a Quinyon Mitchell CB complement, which would give Jackson or Ringo a path to more playing time. The Eagles used a Mitchell-DeJean-Darius Slay CB trio primarily last season, but the team cut both Slay and the injured Bradberry before option bonuses became due this offseason. That set up a Jackson-Ringo battle that is close to wrapping, though the winner will obviously need to maintain solid form to avoid being benched in-season.
Cb 2 and dl depth are the only things I’m worried about with this team.
Over Bennett? This is surprising.
I still hope Ringo improves enough to become a legit #2 starting outside CB.
I think he ends up there, ultimately. I’d like to see DeJean nail down a permanent position, and I could see a Mitchell/Ringo/DeJean combination happening next year, but Fangio seems to like DeJean as a floater. If that’s the case, and Jackson is the other outside corner (he’s better doing that than working inside, in my opinion), then Ringi’s only starting spot is inside. I think the team would rather use him on the outside, though, so I think that’s ultimately where he ends up.
Their secondary will take a step back. Gardner Johnson is a dog, and Slay was a bigger part to their success than many want to admit. Those are huge downgrades.
Those of us who aren’t delusional know these things. Slay is one of the best corners the Eagles have ever had and deserves to be in their Ring of Honor one day, and CJGJ was one of the biggest reasons our defense got us to the Superbowl both years he’s been with us.
I like Mukuba though, and we drafted our young corners for a reason. I like McWilliams, too. But I like Bennett more.
Every dog can find a warm piece of the sidewalk sometime….he stunk….good luck Eagles….
If no one steps up or they are hit with injuries the Eagles have plenty of draft picks to trade with.