As far as the Los Angeles Rams draft prospects are concerned, USC cornerback and return specialist Adoreé Jackson could be the most intriguing.
There’s a simple reason for that: He could fill multiple needs in L.A., and help the team get more value out of its limited 2017 draft.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior is the player ESPN’s Todd McShay would take for the Rams with their first pick, the No. 37 overall selection that falls in the second round.
He’s a prospect in the Rams draft that could bolster offense, defense and special teams, McShay says.
“Jackson has a chance to have an immediate impact as a returner,” McShay says. “His technique in coverage still needs polishing, but he has elite ball skills and the versatility to make an impact in a number of ways (including on offense).”
In fact, Jackson told Sirius XM Radio that teams have talked to him about playing both ways (h/t Pro Football Talk), but it would really be three ways, wouldn’t it?
Last season with the Trojans, Jackson had 55 tackles with five interceptions and 11 pass deflections. He also returned two kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns. Jackson averaged 29.5 yards per kickoff return and 15.8 yards per punt return in 2016.
And for good measure, he had two receptions for 76 yards and another touchdown on offense.
Jackson caught 27 passes for 414 yards and two scores in 2015. He score 15 touchdowns in college—six as a wide receiver, eight as a return specialist (four kickoffs and four punts) and one on an interception return. His arrival could help wide receiver Tavon Austin focus solely on offense and becoming more of a threat in the passing game. And obviously, Jackson could emerge as a complement and/or eventual replacement for expensive cornerback Trumaine Johnson.
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