2017 NFL Draft: Los Angeles Rams Five Round Mock Draft
By Jason Reed
In the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, with the 37th overall selection, the Los Angeles Rams selected cornerback Adoree’ Jackson. Staying local with Los Angeles’ own, the Rams not only received an impact corner that can start day one but a special teams guru that can give them a spark similar to Devin Hester.
According to the combine grades from NFL.com, Jackson is the seventh best corner in this year’s draft and is very close to his peers ahead of him. His 4.42 40 yard dash time is fantastic and his 36 inch vertical makes up for his five-foot-ten height. Jackson may be the most athletic of the corners, and while he may not be a huge impact player right away his athleticism will carry him into progression.
In his junior year at USC, last season Jackson totaled 55 tackles, two of which were sacks, five interceptions, and one forced fumble. On top of that Jackson thrived in special teams, averaging 29.5 yards per kick return and 15.8 yards per punt return, Jackson had two touchdowns in each category.
Heck, Jackson even saw time at receiver and ran the ball for USC in 2016, going as far as catching a touchdown pass. Although he may not have that versatility at the NFL level, it is evident that the Rams have an athletic guy to select in the second round.
With the need for corners in the Rams organization, this selection almost seems like a no-brainer. If the Rams are going to want to compete with the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals they are too going to need an impact corner that can play special teams.