Tag: William Jackson

5 cornerbacks the Vikings can sign after initial cuts

With only five cornerbacks on the roster, @TheKevinFielder looks at who the Vikings could target

As the Minnesota Vikings began to cut their roster to 53 players, a gaping hole was left at the cornerback position.

As the clock struck 3 P.M. central time, the Vikings only had five cornerbacks on their roster: Byron Murphy Jr., Mekhi Blackmon, Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr., and NaJee Thompson.

Considering that Thompson has only played a handful of snaps at cornerback in college, the Vikings only have four out-and-out cornerbacks. While the Vikings could run into next season with that group, the injury history of Booth should bring concern to that front.

As a result, the Vikings are likely window-shopping the waiver wire and free agency to find another reliable option for the room. Here are x options that could help fill the position out for the start of the season.

12 remaining free-agent cornerbacks the Panthers could still sign

Here are 12 notable cornerbacks who are still available in free agency:

On Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Field Yates suggested that the Carolina Panthers add some cornerback depth before the offseason comes to an end. But let’s be honest, we really didn’t need a reminder.

Between injuries to starters Jaycee Horn and Donte Jackson as well as the lack of reliable reinforcements behind them, the Panthers are still quite thin at the position. So, if they end up dipping back into the free-agent market this summer, here are 12 corners that could get a call.

Former Bengals CB William Jackson cut by Steelers

A former Bengals first-round pick heads to free agency.

Former Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick William Jackson will head to free agency.

The Pittsburgh Steelers cut Jackson on Friday and saved $12.187 million in the process.

Jackson had demanded a trade off the Washington Commanders late last season and got it, but promptly went to injured reserve and didn’t suit up for the Steelers, meaning he never got to line up against his former team.

Cincinnati’s 24th overall pick in 2016, Jackson left in free agency for Washington and took a shot at fans and the team on his way out the door.

Given that and Jackson’s attendance woes over the last two seasons, it’s pretty much guaranteed the Bengals won’t look at him for depth help as Eli Apple becomes a free agent.

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7 cornerbacks the Vikings can sign after waiving Cameron Dantzler

With the Vikings waiving Cameron Dantzler Sr., there are just two corners on the roster. @TheKevinFielder highlights 7 CBs to keep an eye on

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has made a statement.

For the first time in his tenure, this feels like it will be his roster. Whether it was the decision to release long-serving players like Erik Kendricks or Adam Thielen or the comments regarding Kirk Cousin’s future, Adofo-Mensah has taken the roster by his hands.

On Saturday, the Vikings announced that they waived cornerback Cameron Dantzler, Sr.

The move saves the Vikings about $2.7 million towards the cap. Although the Vikings remain over the ceiling, that number is down to $7 million, meaning the Vikings will have to make more moves.

Releasing Dantzler leaves the Vikings thin at cornerback. While they could re-sign someone like Duke Shelley, who performed well at the end of the season, it looks like they’ll be players in the free-agent market.

If that’s the case, there are seven free-agent cornerbacks to watch for the Vikings.

5 potential cap casualties that should interest the Lions this offseason

Here are a few players who figure to be cap casualties that the Lions will want to look at signing this offseason.

We’re getting to the point in the offseason where teams start cutting players they no longer want to pay at their existing salary levels. The Raiders kicked off this movement in a big way by releasing longtime starting QB Derek Carr after being unable to trade him.

Carr won’t interest the Lions, not with Jared Goff entrenched as the starter. But there are some other likely salary cap casualties around the NFL who should definitely interest Detroit GM Brad Holmes and the team. Players who are cut provide the extra benefit of not counting against the compensatory draft pick formula for the following year.

Here are a few players who figure to be cap casualties that the Lions will want to look at signing this offseason.

Bengals won’t encounter Steelers DB William Jackson in Week 11

The Bengals won’t get to line up against their former first-round pick.

The Cincinnati Bengals won’t get a shot at former first-round pick William Jackson when they play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11.

Jackson, Cincinnati’s 24th overall pick in 2016, demanded a trade out of Washington before the deadline and got his wish, getting shipped to Pittsburgh.

Not long after, the Steelers wound up placing Jackson on injured reserve due to a back issue.

For Bengals fans (and former cornerback Adam Jones), that’s something of a disappointment given the way Jackson’s tenure with the Bengals ended on such a sour note.

It’s also an interesting addition to the fact the Bengals might not encounter star Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick when the two AFC North rivals get together this weekend.

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As trade deadline nears, will Chargers make a move?

Teams have until Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 1:00 pm PT to make a trade.

The Chargers bye week is coming to a close, as is the NFL trade deadline.

Teams have until Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 1:00 pm PT to make a trade for the remainder of the regular season. And the question looms if Los Angeles will be a buyer.

L.A. has dealt with a flurry of injuries at various positions, but the units that could use some retooling the most are wide receiver and cornerback.

Keenan Allen should be back to full health from a hamstring injury, as should Joshua Palmer, who missed Week 7 with a concussion. But Mike Williams will be out for multiple weeks with a high ankle sprain.

The Bolts’ offensive production has been incoherent for various reasons. However, the team has been unable to produce explosive plays because of the lack of speed in the room.

Some big-name receivers that could be made available for trade include Texans’ Brandin Cooks, Jets’ Elijah Moore, Broncos’ Jerry Jeudy, and Steelers’ Chase Claypool.

Even though the Chargers have the cap space, they don’t have much. And that could be one of the variables that sways them away from pursuing one of the players mentioned, but there are still other viable options.

As for the cornerback position, Los Angeles will be without its big-ticket free-agent acquisition in J.C. Jackson, who had season-ending ankle surgery.

Michael Davis will start in place of him, with Asante Samuel Jr. playing the other boundary spot. The depth behind them is thin, as rookie Deane Leonard is the only other outside corner.

Some players who might be on the trading block are Seahawks’ Sidney Jones. Chiefs’ Rashad Fenton, Vikings’ Kris Boyd, and Commanders’ William Jackson, among others.

In 10 years as general manager, Tom Telesco hasn’t pulled off a trade at the deadline to acquire a new asset, except for trading away cornerback Desmond King to get a draft pick in return in 2020.

But given the aggressiveness in free agency last offseason and this offseason, Telesco pulling the trigger on a player to improve the roster should not be written off.

“We are always going to look for avenues to enhance our team and make it better,” Staley said about exploring a trade ahead of the deadline. “If those avenues are possible, then we’ll definitely explore them.”

Former Bengals CB William Jackson demands trade off Commanders

William Jackson wants to try his luck with a third team.

Former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson has demanded a trade off the Washington Commanders.

That might inspire a bit of deja vu for Bengals fans. Jackson, the team’s 24th overall pick in 2016, remained in town through the 2020 season before leaving the team and taking shots at fans on his way out the door. 

Washington removed Jackson from a game early last week, though he had been dealing with a back injury leading up to the game. His reps later issued a statement that he’d like to find a better team fit.

Last year over 12 games, Jackson allowed 31 catches on 53 targets with two interceptions for a 59.3 PFF grade. He’s allowed 16 on 19 at a 49.6 grade this year.

The trade deadline is November 1, so it’s safe to presume he’ll find a new team by then — but we can safely rule out Cincinnati.

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Lions trade rumors: Buyer beware on CB William Jackson

Commanders CB William Jackson is a potential trade candidate for the Lions but there are significant drawbacks and risks for Detroit

Anytime a player who represents a potential upgrade for the Detroit Lions could legitimately be available for a trade, it’s a discussion that needs to happen. Does the player make sense for the Lions and for the presumed asking price?

When the player is a starting cornerback and the Lions possess the NFL’s worst defense, it’s pretty hard to argue against the need for a player like William Jackson. The Washington Commanders cornerback wants out, and it seems like the feeling is mutual after Jackson was a healthy scratch in Thursday night’s win over the Chicago Bears.

Jackson was a big-ticket free agent signing back in 2021. The former Bengals first-round pick cashed in with Washington for $42 million over three seasons. Yet less than halfway through the contract, it’s been disastrous for both player and team. A move seems imminent.

The Lions were one of the top fits for Jackson on several breakdowns, including a thorough one from Doug Farrar at Touchdown Wire. As Farrar correctly notes,

The Lions were the presidents of the “Don’t Play Man if you Can’t Play Man” club during Matt Patricia’s unfortunate tenure, and that has sadly continued under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn in Glenn’s second season in that role. Outside of Jeff Okudah, Detroit cornerbacks have been disastrous in man coverage, and that’s the main reason the Lions have given up 35 completions in 62 attempts for 521 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.

Jackson is very much a man-coverage cornerback. He’s at his best in press-man coverage, getting his hands on the receiver within the five-yard limit and using his strength and speed to prevent clean releases. Alas, Jackson isn’t playing that style very often in Washington and isn’t doing well no matter what coverage he’s tried in 2022.

That’s Jackson pictured above on the business end of an Amon-Ra St. Brown touchdown in Week 2. Other similar pictures exist from too many games for Commanders fans and coaches to tolerate. This was no confusing coverage, no wondering where his help was coming from for Jackson; St. Brown simply smoked him mano-a-mano.

Lions fans frustrated with Amani Oruwariye and his league-worst performance at CB through the first four weeks can empathize. As rough as Jackson has been in 2022, he’s still outshined Oruwariye. Jackson currently sits 69th of 76 in those same Pro Football Focus overall ratings through Week 5. The concept of presenting Jackson with a shot at redemption with a change of scenery is certainly appealing.

The price tag is a problem. Even a straight-up trade for Oruwariye doesn’t make much sense for Detroit. Why? Jackson’s exorbitant price tag. He’s under contract through next season, with a 2023 cap figure of over $15 million. Jackson would cost the Lions over $5 million for the rest of 2022 as well.

Jackson could very well prove he’s worth it, but there’s a very significant chance he becomes a wildly expensive disaster, a roll of the dice that craps out spectacularly. For a Lions team that is not in any way built to win now, bringing in such a risk just doesn’t make sense. If the Lions want Jackson in 2023 when the team expects to be more viably competitive, they’ll be able to sign him for pennies to his current dollar once Washington, or a team the Commanders sucker into his contract, release him and swallow the huge cap hit. Then–and only then–does acquiring Jackson make sense for Detroit.

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Taysom Hill says he has a 45-minute memory gap after scary concussion

Taysom Hill says he has a 45-minute memory gap after scary concussion

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One of the toughest extended absences the New Orleans Saints have had to contend with this season was a weekslong process in which Taysom Hill navigated concussion protocol, having taken a shot to his helmet from Washington Football Team cornerback William Jackson III back on Oct. 10. It took 24 days, including the Saints’ bye week, for Hill to recover and return to practice, and Jackson avoided both an ejection and fine for the hit.

Hill took enough punishment for both of them. He told FOX 8 New Orleans’ Sean Fazende that he has experienced a 45-minute gap in his memory following that hit, in which he was helped to his feet and onto a trainer’s cart so he could be evaluated away from the field. Jackson’s hit put Hill out of action through the Saints’ next two games.

After the game Jackson said in his defense that he was “clearly” going for the ball, and the NFL bought that excuse. It’s tough to see how that could be true from how he tucked his arms into his chest and lowered his shoulder pad into Hill’s facemask, but that’s all above my pay grade.

Hopefully Hill is healthy and whole and ready to help his team in their next road game. They’re flying out to face the Tennessee Titans this week without superstar running back Alvin Kamara or All-Pro left tackle Terron Armstead, and they could really use the physical brand of football Hill is known for. We’ll keep fingers crossed that he isn’t subjected to any more borderline-illegal hits.

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