The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.
On paper, the Green Bay Packers appear to have a solid group of cornerbacks. Jaire Alexander is an all-pro caliber player. Carrington Valentine showed promise last season as a seventh-round rookie. Keisean Nixon is back to man the nickel position. If former first-round pick Eric Stokes can rediscover his rookie form the Packers could have a solid foundation in place.
There are obvious concerns with this group. Can Alexander and Stokes stay healthy? Will Valentine fall victim to a sophomore slump? With question marks surrounding the group, one would expect the Packers to add another body to bolster the cornerback room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.
A potential target for the Packers in the 2024 NFL Draft is Khyree Jackson. The Oregon cornerback checks in at No. 41 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
Khyree Jackson is going to be a stud in the NFL😤 pic.twitter.com/HK4kUNPE3p
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 21, 2024
An Alabama transfer, Jackson recorded five tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions and seven pass deflections during his lone season in Eugene.
Jackson looks great off the bus. The former Crimson Tide cornerback is tall (6-3) and has a long frame. He uses that frame to give quarterback’s a tight window to throw into.
“Jackson definitely fits into the mold of a lengthy cornerback who is going to be able to use his frame to get to balls and contest passes that other, more traditionally sized defense backs would struggle with,” Zachary Neel, the managing editor of DucksWire.com, said. “While he could stand to bulk up a bit in order to be more physical at the attack point, his 78-inch wingspan certainly gives him a leg up.”
Jackson is a physical cornerback and enjoys bringing the fight to the wide receivers at the line of scrimmage. The Oregon cornerback would be an ideal fit in Jeff Hafley’s system. He reroutes wide receivers at the line of scrimmage to throw off their timing and stays connected. Jackson is smooth in his pedal and can change directions without having to gear down. He limits big plays and according to Pro Football Focus only gave up one touchdown this past season.
“Jackson does a very good job of being physical at the line of scrimmage in press coverage situations, and he is able to use his size to his advantage at the catch point and body bigger receivers who are trying to go for the ball,” Neel said. “His fluidity and hip mobility can improve a bit, but he has a lot of great intangibles in his game already.”
Jackson is aware in coverage and does a good job of reading the wide receiver’s eyes to get his head turned to make plays on the ball.
“One thing that Jackson showed in his one year at Oregon was a very good knack for tracking the ball in the air and getting his head around when it came to him,” Neel said. “Throughout the year, we saw offenses go at him less and less while he locked down one half of the field, but when the ball did come his way, Jackson was ready and prepared.”
Jackson is a willing participant in run support and enjoys crashing downhill to chop down ball carriers near or behind the line of scrimmage. He has a high batting average as a tackler and was only tagged with three missed tackles during his collegiate career.
“Run support is something that can improve for Jackson as he puts on some weight, but he is a physical player who doesn’t shy away from contact,” Neel said. “He often came up in the flats and made plays.”
Fit with the Packers
In a perfect world, Alexander would stay healthy and play every game of the 2024 season. Stokes puts the past two seasons behind him and returns to form. If those two things happen the Packers are all set at cornerback.
Even the best-laid plans go a muck. Brian Gutekunst recently said that he’s comfortable with the cornerback depth if they can all stay healthy. Recent history suggests that won’t happen. Gutekunst would be wise to add another talented cornerback to that room.
If the Packers opt to wait until the third round or Day 3 to add a cornerback to the mix, Jackson could be a potential target in that range.
“I think Khyree Jackson has the skills and intangibles of an elite defender at the next level, possessing great speed and length that will make him valuable in pass coverage against oversized receivers,” Neel said. “As he continues to develop, we will see him elevate among top pass-coverage guys in the league.”
Given his size and athleticism, Jackson has the tools to develop into a lockdown boundary cornerback. Even with the Packers having a solid foundation built at cornerback, a team can never have enough talented coverage guys.
If he were to land in Green Bay he could battle Stokes and Valentine for starting reps opposite Alexander. Even if he doesn’t crack the cornerback rotation, he has the special teams experience to be a key asset on coverage units.
