The Tennessee Titans’ draft weekend is finally drawing to a close as they make the first of their final two selections, both of which came in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
With the No. 204 pick, the Titans selected a local product, Tennessee defensive back, Theo Jackson.
Jackson is a productive defensive back who earned All-SEC honors in his final season by both the coaches (Second-Team), and Phil Steele (Third-Team).
The Tennessee product also set career-highs in 2021 with 78 tackles (fourth-most on the team), nine tackles for loss (led SEC defensive backs), 1.5 sacks, 12 pass break-ups (second-most in SEC) and one interception (returned for touchdown).
Theo Jackson doing his thing.#Vols pic.twitter.com/rHTDFt3XM4
— RockyTopTalk (@RockyTopTalk) September 18, 2021
In total, Jackson played in 56 games (24 starts) and tallied 190 career tackles, 20 passes defended, 12 tackles for loss, three interceptions (one pick-six), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
The Titans’ new defensive back, who can play safety and out of the slot, will likely need to contribute on special teams if he’s going to find his way on the field in the near future, but I like the overall idea of getting another young safety to develop under Amani Hooker and Kevin Byard.
What a Massive Steal for Tennessee in Theo Jackson from Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/XGhNmyzrBL
— Chris Robbins (@C_Robbins_) April 30, 2022
And that’s especially with Hooker’s unknown future beyond this year as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. If Jackson shows enough promise as a rookie, it could make that decision much easier in 2023.
Overall, I like the addition of another young safety and Jackson has enough potential to warrant at least an above-average grade at this point of the draft.