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Patriots: Most important overlooked player on New England’s defense

By Jerry Trotta

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: Cornerback J.C. Jackson #27 of the New England Patriots celebrates his interception with linebacker Josh Uche #53 against the Los Angeles Chargers in the third quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: Cornerback J.C. Jackson #27 of the New England Patriots celebrates his interception with linebacker Josh Uche #53 against the Los Angeles Chargers in the third quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots’ defense from last season wasn’t the suffocating world-beater fans have grown accustomed to during the Bill Belichick era.

Luckily, that figures to change in a big way following the additions they made through free agency and the draft.

Following that overhaul, it isn’t a stretch to say that the Patriots now have one of the most balanced defensive rosters in the NFL.

After all, the group flaunts marquee talents like Stephon Gilmore (for now), Matt Judon, Dont’a Hightower and Devin McCourty.

While that’s all well and good, however, every championship-caliber defense needs a couple unsung heroes, and New England checks those boxes with players like Kyle Van Noy versatile lineman Lawrence Guy, safety Adrian Phillips and edge rusher Deatrich Wise Jr.

Though all of those players deserve the necessary recognition, cornerback JC Jackson is undoubtedly the most important overlooked player on the Pats’ defense.

https://twitter.com/BradyyNFL/status/1403748793435164685

JC Jackson is the most overlooked player on the Patriots’ defense.

While there’s a debate to be had whether Jackson is capable of being a No. 1 corner, which requires lining up against superstar receivers week in and week out, there might not be a cornerback in the NFL with better ball skills than the Patriots star.

Since 2018, Jackson ranks first in interceptions and pass breakups with 19, which is one more than Xavien Howard and five more than Tyrann Mathieu. On top of that, Jackson entered last year allowing a 49.6% completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks, which trumped the likes of Gilmore, Richard Sherman, Marlon Humphrey and Casey Hayward.

With those stats in mind, Jackson entered 2020 with colossal expectations. To his credit, he handled that pressure without a whimper, allowing the fifth-lowest passer rating (62.7) and 12th-lowest reception percentage (54.7%), while registering the second most INTs (9) and fifth-most pass breakups (14) among corners who played more than 250 coverage snaps.

Who knows? With Gilmore holding out of mandatory minicamp while he waits a new-and-improved deal, Jackson could take on an even bigger role in 2021 if the Patriots fail to meet the former Defensive Player of the Year’s contract demands and end up trading him.

Luckily for New England, the 25-year-old stud signed his second-round restricted free agent tender earlier this offseason, so he isn’t going anywhere.

It remains to be seen if Jackson is ready to assume No. 1 duties, but his ability to record interceptions at a staggering rate and stymie opposing wide receivers proves he’s not just the Patriots’ most underrated defensive player. The former undrafted Maryland star might be the most overlooked defensive player in the entire NFL.

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