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.