"Potential is through the roof."
When we're talking about a sixth-round dart throw, that's music to our ears. The Green Bay Packers have rolled the dice on Alabama cornerback Domani Jackson, who has the tools to succeed but is far from the finished product.
John Mitchell, who covers the Crimson Tide for Bama Hammer, offered some insight into the Packers' Round 6 selection.
"Elite speed, but spotty as a run defender and was picked on with stretch plays on the edge by opposing offensive coordinators. Potential is through the roof, but he lost his job as a senior to a freshman, though he maintained a good attitude."
Domani Jackson's potential is well worth the Packers' Round 6 dart throw
Jackson isn't a polished, ready-to-start prospect, but that's why he fell to the sixth round. The Packers are banking on his athleticism and potential, and that's undeniable.
Green Bay doesn't need him to play significant snaps right away. The team invested its top choice at No. 52 on Brandon Cisse, who could start instantly alongside Keisean Nixon. The Packers also signed free agent Benjamin St-Juste.
In Jackson, the Packers have added yet another phenomenal athlete.
He boasts an elite Relative Athletic Score of 9.01, boosted by his impressive 4.41-second 40-yard dash. The Packers have gotten faster in the secondary with the Cisse and Jackson picks.
As Mitchell notes, Jackson produced inconsistent play and lost snaps last season, and the coverage numbers back that up. Per Pro Football Focus, quarterbacks completed 16 of 21 passes (76.2 percent) for 135 yards and one touchdown when throwing his way, good for a 108.2 passer rating.
Jackson will need time to develop, but that's unsurprising for a sixth-round pick. He will benefit from joining a defense led by Jonathan Gannon, a former defensive backs coach, while secondary coach/pass game coordinator Bobby Babich, who has experience as a defensive coordinator, will play a significant role.
You can't teach his athleticism and speed, and the Packers are taking a high-upside swing.
It's a classic Packers move under Gutekunst. Bank on athleticism and traits, and coach the rest. Mitchell issues a warning about some concerning aspects of Jackson's game, but, as he notes, his upside is "through the roof."
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