4 Washington Commanders the Detroit Lions could have particular interest in trading for
4. CB William Jackson
Commanders’ trade talk started with NFL Network’s report Thursday morning of Jackson wanting to be traded to a team where the scheme suits him better. Washington has gotten interest from several teams, per the report from Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo.
"Sources say the former big-ticket, free-agent cornerback would like a new home, and the Commanders have engaged in trade talks centered around him with hopes of making that happen. There has been interest in Jackson from several teams, sources say. With the NFL trade deadline looming on Nov. 1, the likelihood is that Jackson is traded long before then,”"
Jackson apparently fancies himself as a lockdown man cover corner, while Washington plays a lot of zone.
Jackson is in the second year of a three-year, $40.5 million deal he signed with Washington. But as NFL Media noted it was a very front-loaded deal, while adding he would count just $3.8 million against an acquiring team’s salary cap for this year.
The Lions, rooted in having the third-highest blitz rate in the league (35.9 percent), have run man coverage at the highest rate in the league so far this season according to Pro Football Focus.
The #Lions (54.6%) #Patriots (51.6%) and #Dolphins (48.3%) have run man defense at the highest rates this season. Still though, the league average is less than 30%. Per @PFF https://t.co/TyXJNVdKYl
— Christian Esparza (@CEsparzaSports) October 13, 2022
On the verge of his 30th birthday (Oct. 27), Jackson doesn’t feel like a great fit for the rebuilding/building Lions. And if the Commanders give him some say in where he goes, he may not want the Lions. But the cost to part ways with him next year is not necessarily prohibitive as a pre or post-June 1 cut, or to trade him.
If Jackson wants to play man coverage, even more than play for a playoff contender if any want him, there’s literally not a better place to do so than Detroit right now.