Dallas Cowboys: Scouting report on Michael Jackson

The Dallas Cowboys drafted cornerback Michael Jackson in the fifth round of the draft. He has the potential to be a starter. So who is the rookie corner?

Though the Dallas Cowboys‘ new cornerback is not the King of Pop who is known for winning an impressive 13 Grammys (amongst other things), Michael Jackson out of Miami is capable of being a star in Dallas, Texas.

Jackson is tailor-made for Kris Richard‘s (defensive passing game coordinator) defense. Just check out his measurables:

Height: 6-1
Weight: 210 lbs
Arms: 32 1/2
40-yard dash: 4.45 seconds
Vertical jump: 40.5

If Richard could create a player on EA’s Madden football, he would have a body like Jackson. Richard has a history of taking cornerbacks late in the draft and molding them into Pro Bowl players, such as Richard Sherman with the Seattle Seahawks (currently with San Francisco 49ers).

Jackson is a very physical player. He is most comfortable in bump coverage where he can jam the receiver at the line of scrimmage and get the receiver off his route.

If the receiver gets a clean release, Jackson can be taken advantage of.  Jackson struggles with footwork, his legs get out of sync with the rest of his body, and he can lose the receiver on quick inside and outside breaking routes.

The cornerback has played most of his college games in a cover-three scheme, which will help his transition to the Cowboys. Jackson’s height and arm length give him the ability to smother receivers at the catch point.

The rookie cornerback could not be put in a better situation. He gets to learn under veterans like Richard and Pro Bowler cornerback, Byron Jones and does not have to see the field until he is actually ready.

It is too common when talented young cornerbacks are thrown into the fire, get abused on the field, and lose confidence. The importance of confidence, especially for a cornerback, cannot be overstated.

The Cowboys are going to have to make some difficult decisions next offseason. Jones is going to hit the free market unless the team offers him a large contract. The front office made a very smart decision by getting a high ceiling cornerback towards the backend of the draft.

The ideal plan would be that Jackson improves enough and can start alongside Chidobe Awuzie at cornerback in 2020. This way, the Cowboys can play other stars money, but they still have a succession plan in place for Jones.

Jackson’s development will be a huge storyline to watch for this season. He will be wearing the number 33 on his jersey, the same number of legendary Cowboys’ running back Tony Dorsett and the same number Awuzie wore as a rookie.

What do you think Michael Jackson will bring to the Dallas Cowboys’ defense? Do you think he is going to replace Byron Jones in 2020? Feel free to share all your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below!