The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are doing their due diligence this offseason to make sure they’re not only covered for their first round pick at No. 19, but also in possible Day 2 and late-round players as well, by inviting a wide array of prospects for their official visits.
The latest, according to ESPN’s Jenna Laine, is USC cornerback Adoree’ Jackson.
The Bucs are hosting four draft prospects at One Buc today — USC CB Adoree' Jackson, USF WR Rodney Adams, USF… https://t.co/Na7uedSeWJ
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) April 3, 2017
Jackson is the first cornerback to make an official visit with the Buccaneers this draft season.
At the Combine last month, Jackson ran a 4.42, jumped 36 inches vertically and 10-feet, 1-inches in the broad. He’s one of the most athletic defensive backs in the class, and that is made evident, not only on defense, but in his special teams work as well, as he recorded over 2,500 kick and punt return yards and eight total special teams touchdowns during his three-year career at USC.
He fits the mold of what Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Mike Smith seems to gravitate towards in terms of traits for a cornerback, favoring speed over strength and length, so the match could be there. Jackson is still new to mastering the cornerback position, however, as he played both sides of the ball for the Trojans.
He isn’t a target for that No. 19 pick as much as he would be as an early-second or mid-second round pick.