Patriots 2021 defensive backfield playbook: Who stays, who goes

New England Patriots Cornerback J.C. Jackson

J.C. Jackson is a true personnel management success story for the New England Patriots, and as this writer is not reluctant to point out, there have been many stories of the opposite variety on a yearly basis by the team.

The acquisition of cornerback Jackson as an undrafted free agent ain’t one of them. He’s been quite the opposite. A true find of Pro-Bowl caliber.

As noted above, the New England Patriots seem to have an undeniable ability to sift through the flood of undrafted free agents after the NFL draft and to discover gems amongst those who were otherwise deemed not draft-worthy. Jackson is clearly one of those, and one of the best. Maybe ever.

Jackson came aboard in 2018 undrafted from Maryland. He is an RFA this offseason.

He has proceeded in his three years in the league for New England to amass 17 interceptions, nine of which came in 2020, and the nine came while starting only 11 games. That’s what’s called production.

Jackson started strong with New England and has progressed every year to the point where it is not a stretch to say that he was the team’s best cornerback in 2020.

Why he hasn’t been signed to a long-term extension yet is a legitimate question, but that should in no way change the necessity for the New England Patriots to pay Jackson this offseason and beyond. There is no way New England should offer Jackson anything less than a first-round tender.

It’s clear as the lens on the Hubble telescope that Jackson has to have a first-round tender and has to be re-signed to a multi-year contract. If not, it will be a mistake of the highest order.

J.C. Jackson stays and is re-signed to a multi-year contract.