Player Spotlight; DeSean Jackson
DJ Boyer |Mar 10,2008
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No question that the best receiver in the draft is DeSean Jackson but his pint sized 5-10 170-pound frame has many wondering if he is a legitimate first round selection and weather he can hold up to the
rigors of the NFL.
*DeSean Jackson Wide Receiver California*
Junior 5-10 170
*Strengths:* Speed and return ability
*Weaknesses:* Size
*Statline:* 2,400 yards receiving in three years at California while adding an additional six touchdowns in the return game.
*Technique:* Jackson plays well over the middle and inside for a man whose size has come into question. His ability to work the shorter routes sells the fakes at the line of scrimmage and allows him to use his open field speed for the deep ball.
*Known Injuries:* Durability is in question after a number of injuries over his college career. While none were major he always seemed to have some sort of injuries. Had a lingering thigh injury and had a numerous hamstring issues.
*Combine / Workout Assessment:* Ran a 4.35 which will make a number of teams look past his size and consider him in the first round.
*DJ Boyer's Analysis:* DeSean Jackson is a big play waiting to happen as 30% of his touches during his career at California were plays of 25 yards or more. Jackson scored on his first collegiate pass reception and punt return so he has been a playmaker from day one. Jackson has looked rather ordinary in some key games at Cal and some question weather he can raise his game and become a true #1 receiver at the NFL level. There have been other instances where Jackson has been unstoppable and his inconsistency makes him a hard prospect to grade. Does everything well, comes out of breaks very fast and has amazing open field speed. Changes directions and can stop or stutter stop and make defenders look hapless. Questions regarding his size will plague him going into the draft, while some shorter receivers (Steve Smith, Marvin Harrison, Santana Moss) have been playmakers many more have failed to make the impact many expected. Can be knocked around at the line of scrimmage and has been working on becoming a more physical receiver. I think Jackson could still wind up as a first round pick but the chances that he is the first wide receiver selected is unlikely.
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