3 Former Patriots Still Unemployed as OTAs Arrive

2. JC Jackson, Cornerback

Over the first four years of JC Jackson's NFL career, there were very few players in the league as productive at making plays on the football at the cornerback position.

Jackson had 25 interceptions and 53 passes defensed over the course of his first five NFL seasons. He had at least five interceptions for three straight seasons from 2019-2021. In 2020 and 2021, he had a whopping 17 total interceptions.

Ballhawk doesn't begin to describe it. Ball magnet is more fitting.

Jackson parlayed that outstanding ball production into a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. He signed on for five years, $82.5 million and was supposed to bring that ballhawking ability over to the Chargers' defense. Over two seasons, Jackson wound up playing just seven total games for the Chargers.

The Patriots re-acquired him in a trade last year and he had a solid six passes broken up in his return to New England. At this point, however, there are some off-field and injury concerns with Jackson that could cause him to have to catch on after a team suffers an injury to one of their starters. He may not have suitors lined up for him and could linger in free agency until training camp or beyond.