New England Patriots: 5 third-year players with everything to gain in 2020

New England Patriots cornerback JC Jackson is playing for a big contract.

The one person saving Bill Belichick from drafting Duke Dawson with that second-round pick is finding and undrafted gem in New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson.

Of course, looking back it is easy to say Belichick should’ve used that pick on perhaps a tight end or even a quarterback, but not many people can challenge any decisions the Patriots head coach makes because of players he find in that of Malcolm Butler and now Jackson.

Tied for second on the team in interceptions with 5 in 2019, J.C. Jackson turned out to be the perfect No. 2 cornerback to that of Stephon Gilmore.  His transition as the No.2 corner didn’t happen until Jason McCourty went down with injury, but he still took advantage of his opportunity and will have a major opportunity in 2020 to really cement himself as a legit corner.

The one area he does need to improve on his is his rate of pass interference penalties, but that is something that should take care of itself with experience and learning from veterans like Gilmore and McCourty.

But, then again, that is a part of his game.  He plays physical and is a ball hawk who will only get better.

In entering the last year of his three-year deal, J.C. Jackson has everything to gain in 2020 in the form of either a contract extension with the New England Patriots or cashing in big in free agency.

With JoeJuan Williams and Jonathan Jones also vying from snaps at cornerback, Jackson doesn’t have much room for failure.  It’s a big season for the 24-year-old undrafted talent out of Maryland.