USAT: Washington Wire audio clip

USAT: Washington Wire

Jan 26, 2022

Two weeks ago we began preliminary discussions concerning who were the most disappointing Washington players in 2021. Today we start the countdown of the top five. - No. 5 William Jackson III - Disappointment implies unmet expectations. Expectations certainly accompanied Washington’s signing of Cincinnati Bengals free-agent cornerback William Jackson III. - Jackson agreed to a three-year $42 million contract in the 2021 offseason.  Washington fans were excited to learn Jackson had been ranked by PFF as the 16th-best NFL free agent available, having scored a 71.4 PFF Grade in 2020. - A tall, physical corner, Jackson being teamed with Kendall Fuller, expectations quickly arose as Washington fans envisioned the defense being improved over the 2020 defense that had led the Washington Football Team to an NFC East title. Jackson on his way out said he was blessed to be leaving Cincinnati. - - Talk of a good pass rush now adding a No. 1 lockdown corner and most of the sports pundits and analysts on ESPN, NFL Network, etc. talked of the Washington defense as being one of the best in the league. - Then the regular season began. Nick Akridge, a PFF senior analyst, noted that in the first six weeks of the season, Jackson graded out at a very unexpected low of 46.8 overall grade. 18 catches had been allowed for 258 yards and three TDs scored on Jackson. The Washington pass defense was terrible, and they were the absolute worst, dead last on third down. - - Yes, Jackson made our list and he would have been even higher on our list of most disappointing WFT players for 2021 if not for the good news. Akridge also noted that in weeks 10-13, Jackson’s PFF overall grade had soared to a very admirable 81.9. During those four games, Jackson had been targeted by quarterbacks 11 times and had allowed seven catches for only 40 yards and two TDs. - - - Kam Curl and William Jackson III combine for the @WashingtonNFL INT! #WashingtonFootball - : #TBvsWAS on FOX: NFL app pic.twitter.com/n3FRrVGNcs - — NFL (@NFL) November 14, 2021 - - - 2022 will be Jackson’s second season with Washington and he is guaranteed $5 million in salary. With prorated bonuses and roster bonuses, Jackson’s cap hit will be huge at $14 million. Let’s hope Jackson’s last four games are a sign of things to come in a much-improved 2022. -   -   - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Washington Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Washington Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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