Ninth in a series of 10 profiles on players who could be a target of the Raiders with the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL draft on April 26. No. 9 is Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson:
College: Iowa
Position: Cornerback
Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-1, 192 pounds
Why he fits the Raiders: One of the reasons the Raiders had only two interceptions from cornerbacks last year (both by Sean Smith) were hands of stone. Whenever the Raiders did have opportunities, they fell harmlessly to the ground. That wouldn’t be the case with Jackson, a former receiver who catches like one. Jackson had eight interceptions last season and 26 passes defensed, and he would in theory fit quite nicely with free agent acquisition Rashaan Melvin and last year’s first-round pick Gareon Conley.
Why he doesn’t: Jackson is a natural at attacking the ball, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be close enough to make a play. His combine 40-yard dash time was 4.56. In the Al Davis era, that’d be a death knell to his chances with the Raiders. It still may not be fast enough for Jon Gruden and Reggie McKenzie.
Scouting report: Jackson had never done much until last season, and the concern is that had an incredible year that he may never match. Speed is an issue, but Jackson does have long arms and a natural ability to track the ball and make plays. Can anticipate and jump pass routes — had two interception returns for touchdowns against Wisconsin. Sense of anticipation can be a problem when given a double-move, which he will see more often as an NFL player than he did in college.
Quotable: “I’m a playmaker. Whatever team I go to they’re going to be able to rely on me to be accountable. I’m a playmaker,” Jackson when asked at the NFL scouting combine why he’s the best cornerback in the draft.
