Tag: Khyree Jackson

Vikings’ selection of Khyree Jackson rooted in Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl has always been seen as an important tool in the NFL draft process. For Khyree Jackson, it is the reason he is now a Viking.

The Senior Bowl has always been seen as an important tool in the NFL draft process, for cornerback Khyree Jackson, it might be the reason he is now a Viking. The Senior Bowl had recently added player interviews to their process, and Jackson took full advantage of that, specifically with the Vikings.

Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported that Jackson elaborated on a video conference as to why he may have made his way to Minnesota.

“I was the best cornerback in the draft, and I told them they were going to get me for cheaper because of some of the politics that go into it,” Jackson said.

Because of academic issues, Jackson enrolled at Arizona Western Community College after winning two Maryland state championships as a wide receiver in high school. Within a couple of weeks, he had left school and returned home. He worked at a Harris Teeter deli counter and considered trying his hand at the “NBA 2K” esports league.

Instead he gave football another chance, winding his way from a community college in Kansas to another in Mississippi. He then got his big break, transferring to Alabama and getting his first career start in the 2021 CFP national championship. After being suspended by coach Nick Saban, Jackson transferred to Oregon. In his lone season with the Ducks, he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors.

When asked about his playing style, Jackson summed it up: “I’ll run through your face. If you fall, you fall, if you don’t, I’ll come next time.”

The Minnesota Vikings and their fans are in for entertaining pass-coverage reps this season.

Oregon CB Khyree Jackson selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL draft

Khyree Jackson lands with the Vikings in the 2024 NFL draft.

Khyree Jackson, a former Oregon Ducks cornerback, was selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 108 pick.

Jackson played his senior season with the Ducks after transferring a couple of times earlier in his career.

Jackson wasn’t highly sought coming out of high school, and he started his college football career with Fort Scott Community College, where he played two seasons. After his sophomore year, Jackson was rated the No. 1 junior college CB by 247Sports. He transferred to Alabama, where he played two more seasons, before transferring to Oregon for his final year of eligibility.

Coming to Eugene proved a good decision for Jackson. The best season of his career came as a Duck. In 2023, Jackson played in 12 games, taking 520 defensive snaps, making 48 tackles, catching three interceptions and breaking up eight passes on his way to an All-Pac-12 first-team selection.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Raiders Draft Radar: Top cornerback fits by round

It seems like every year the Raiders head into the draft with a need at the cornerback position. This year is no exception. While they had Nate Hobbs locking down the slot, the boundaries were a revolving door of cornerbacks that is still not …

It seems like every year the Raiders head into the draft with a need at the cornerback position. This year is no exception. While they had Nate Hobbs locking down the slot, the boundaries were a revolving door of cornerbacks that is still not settled.

From the looks of things, Jack Jones is the answer on one side, but the other side is very much in need of an influx of talent. The team flat out ignored the position in free agency, leaving them in the same situation today.

Though it’s hard to really blame them for being skeptical that free agency would solve anything. Last year, they signed two cornerbacks early in free agency (David Long Jr and Duke Shelley) and then Marcus Peters just before camp and none of them were on the team by the end of last season.

They also drafted Jakorian Bennett in the fourth round and he was benched after four starts. So, now they must take another shot at it and you would figure that would happen by the end of day two. Perhaps more than once.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5375″ ]

Giants pass on quarterbacks in latest 7-round mock from PFF

In the latest seven-round mock draft from PFF, the New York Giants pass on quarterbacks entirely in favor of bolstering their roster.

The 2024 NFL draft is exactly a week away and, yes we know, you are weary of mock drafts, but let us hit you with one more — a seven-round mock from the folks at Pro Football Focus.

In this mock, the New York Giants do not make any moves — up or back — pass on a quarterback and select who many believe could be the best player in this draft class in LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick in Round 1.

Nabers’ movement skills are rare, even at the NFL level. His ability to change direction yet continue to accelerate makes him an open-target specialist in the slot and on the outside. He has the kind of athleticism that demands a defense to know where he is at all times as a future WR1.

In the second round, at No. 47 overall, the Giants fortify their already solid front seven with Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske.

Fiske’s measurements are not ideal, but he has an NFL-level football IQ and pass-rush quickness to be a potential impact player as a 4-3 defensive tackle, even with some run-defense deficiencies.

In Round 3, the Giants select Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson with the 70th overall pick. It is a position of utmost need this offseason.

Jackson is an alluring prospect because his combination of size and athleticism doesn’t come around often. However, he must anticipate routes better and not rely on his recovery speed as much. If he can do this, he can be a starting-caliber cornerback in the NFL with a shutdown skill set.

On Day 3, the Giants add a running back (USC’s MarShawn Lloyd), another cornerback in Nehemiah Pritchett of Auburn, and an offensive tackle, Louisiana’s Nathan Thomas.

PFF grades this draft an A. In reviewing the draft, the Giants get themselves a much-needed offensive weapon and stud in Nabers and bolster their roster with the other five picks.

Of course, we don’t know who they passed on in favor of this group, but this effort appears to be pretty much what many experts are expecting from general manager Joe Schoen come next week in Detroit.

[lawrence-related id=726213,726209,726205]

The Draft Network’s latest mock has the Browns going in different direction

Could the Browns draft another cornerback high?

The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler has released his latest mock draft, and it has the Browns taking another defensive back high at pick 54. It doesn’t seem like that is near the top of the priority list, but we thought the same thing a couple of years ago when the team drafted Martin Emerson Jr, so it isn’t out of the question completely.

Fowler has the Browns taking Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson at pick 54 to kick off their draft. Jackson has good size and length: 6 foot-4, 194 pounds, with nearly 33-inch arms. He’s a great athlete at the position with a high football IQ and really excels in man coverage, which is something the Browns ask their corners to do often.

Jackson has no problem getting physical with receivers and possesses nice ball skills and a high football IQ. Personally, I could see the Browns adding a corner in the draft, but I don’t think it’s likely they will with their top pick.

Broncos land QB, OLB and OL in 3-round NFL mock draft

This three-round NFL mock draft has the Broncos going quarterback, pass rusher and offensive line. Sounds good!

Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus released a three-round mock draft last month, and he has the Denver Broncos loading up with two offensive players and a defensive pass rusher.

Sikkema believes the Broncos will trade down from pick No. 12 with the Eagles to select QB Bo Nix at No. 22. 

With their second-round pick they acquired from Philadelphia, the Broncos select Western Michigan pass rusher Marshawn Kneeland at No. 53. 

Lastly, in the third round, Sikkema has Denver landing another Oregon byproduct in center Khyree Jackson in the third round at pick No. 76. Center has since become less of a pressing need after the team signed Sam Mustipher.

Of all the selections, Nix perhaps is the best fit for the Broncos moving forward. Denver will be looking for a quarterback after the Russell Wilson debacle. With Wilson gone on to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a seasoned college QB such as Nix, who holds the NCAA record for pass completion percentage in a season, could be an ideal fit for Payton’s precision-based offense.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 41, Oregon CB Khyree Jackson

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson.

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. 

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. 

Assessing Khyree Jackson’s performance at the 2024 NFL Combine

Assessing Oregon Ducks’ CB Khyree Jackson’s performance at the 2024 NFL Combine.

The 2024 NFL Draft Combine is well on its way in Indianapolis and Oregon Ducks’ cornerback Khyree Jackson led the way for the Ducks on Day 2 of the annual event.

Jackson, who transferred to Oregon from Alabama for his senior year, turned some heads, especially in the broad jump where he was near the top of the heap.

As for his overall grade, it was pretty good as the scouts rate Jackson as a solid backup for the potential to be a starter in the NFL. As with all things, it just depends on the team that selects him and what their specific needs are.

Here’s the breakdown of Jackson’s day at the combine.

2024 Scouting Combine: Seven cornerbacks detail their favorite college plays

At the 2024 scouting combine, we asked seven different cornerbacks for their favorite NCAA plays, and got some great answers.

INDIANAPOLIS — Unless you are somehow able to gain access to one of the rooms in which NFL teams meet with draft prospects during the week of the scouting combine, there’s no way to know what’s really discussed. One thing that is almost always happens is a tape-watching expedition in which the NFL people will have play examples dialed up that hopefully show what the prospects can do.

Here at Touchdown Wire, we do not possess the required juice to crash those rooms, but we are able to ask these prospects during their combine media sessions which plays from their college careers best typify their potential.

On Thursday, we asked seven different cornerback prospects — Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, Kentucky’s Andru Phillips, Wake Forest’s Caelen Carson, Pitt’s M.J. Devonshire, Oregon’s Khyree Jackson, and Ole Miss’s Deantre Prince — for their favorite collegiate plays. These are the ones they’d like to show to NFL teams this week as indicators of their finest work.

Where should Khyree Jackson want to land in the NFL?

Which NFL team is the best fit for Oregon Ducks CB Khyree Jackson?

The NFL Draft is two months away, and it is shaping up to be a historic one for the Oregon Ducks. In the 2023 draft, six Ducks were selected, the most since 2009, and there are likely to be even more for Ducks taken this year.

On the latest episode of the Sco-ing Long Podcast, co-hosts Zachary Neel and Jonathan Stewart, a former star running back for the Oregon Ducks who went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL, discussed potential NFL landing spots for each of the Ducks entering the draft.

One of the most interesting players they looked at is Khyree Jackson. Jackson was only at Oregon for one season, after starting his career in junior college and taking a stop at Alabama before becoming a Duck. Jackson had a phenomenal season with Oregon, finishing with 3 interceptions, 8 pass breakups, and an 80.5 PFF defense grade as the Ducks’ No. 1 CB.

Despite the strong year, Jackson is valued as a mid-to-late-round pick on most draft boards, but could make a strong impact wherever he ends up. As their ideal spots for Jackson, Neel picked the New England Patriots and Stewart picked the Seattle Seahawks.

“I put him in New England with the Patriots, playing alongside Christian Gonzalez. I just feel like, when is the last time that New England missed on a cornerback draft pick? Cornerbacks go there and they’re just good. Of course, they’ve got the new regime too; we’ll see if that continues with Belichick gone now. But if he ended up in New England, I would be like ‘Alright, he’s set. He’s not going somewhere that it’s a terrible situation, like a quarterback going to Cleveland.’” – Neel

“I can see him in Seattle. Secondary help is needed across everybody’s board in my opinion, you can never have enough. I think that the Seahawks, who knows what their plans are going forward now with the new regime, but if they’re going to do anything as far as trying to build the culture like they did before, that secondary is very important.” – Stewart

Seeing Khyree Jackson play in New England next to Christian Gonzalez would be amazing for Ducks fans to watch. The Patriots are probably a few years away from having a chance a make the playoffs, but still, it would be awesome to see their secondary anchored by two former Ducks.

Jackson in Seattle would also be great to see, as the Seahawks begin their post-Pete Caroll era. The Seahawks missed the playoffs in 2023, but they seem only a few steps away from being a playoff team again. One of their standouts last season was rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who would be a great player for Jackson to learn behind.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]