IDP Spotlight: CB Marlin Jackson, Indianapolis Colts

  Posted 7/16 by Aaron Rudnicki, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Marlin Jackson is a tough and physical corner who is a perfect fit for the Colts cover-2 style of defense. He demonstrated his versatility while at Michigan, playing both cornerback and safety and also returning kicks. Jackson was a late 1st round pick of the Colts in 2005 and he quickly emerged as the team's primary nickel back during his rookie year. In his second year with the Colts, he again showed his versatility by starting six games at FS, two games at SS, and contributing as a nickel corner in the rest. Last year was his first as a full-time starting cornerback and he helped the Colts finish with the league's 2nd ranked pass defense.

Jackson has ideal size to play press coverage and to match up with some of the bigger WRs around the league. He's also a very reliable tackler who doesn't hesitate to come up and support the run. When combined with the defensive scheme he plays, Jackson's aggressive playing style allows him to put up above-average tackle numbers which make him one of the more valuable fantasy CBs in the league. While he was known as a shutdown corner in college who opposing QBs would go out of their way to avoid throwing at, Jackson's cover skills in the NFL are still developing. Despite having been in the league for 3 full seasons, Jackson has only collected 3 interceptions and 13 passes defensed. Those are some disappointing numbers, especially considering that he plays in a defense that has two elite pass rushers in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

Positives

• Reliable tackler who plays in a defense known for helping CBs put up big tackle numbers
• Colts potent offense should force opponents to throw more, leading to more playmaking opportunities
• QB pressure generated by Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis up front should lead to an improvement in interception totals

Negatives

• Doesn't make enough plays with just 3 interceptions and 13 passes defensed in 45 games (including 25 starts)
• After a great first month in 2007 (31 solos in 4 games), his tackle numbers dropped off considerably (38 solos in 12 games)
• Doesn't have elite speed and can struggle in man coverage
  

Final Thoughts

Jackson is a player that many IDP owners had high hopes for after he was drafted in the first round a few years ago. Given the success that less heralded players like Nick Harper had before him, it was easy to project Ronde Barber-type tackle numbers for Jackson once he took over as a starter. Although he showed flashes of his fantasy potential when he collected 31 solos and 9 assists in the first 4 games of 2007, he couldn't keep up that pace and wound up recording just 38 solos and 9 assists in the final 12 games. Given the drop-off and his demonstrated lack of playmaking skills up to this point, Jackson will probably finish outside the top-10 fantasy CBs. He clearly has 70+ solo tackle potential, however, and if he can improve his ball skills enough to haul in just 3 or 4 interceptions, then he would probably be a top-5 CB and top-10 DB in most scoring systems.

Quotes from the IDP Spotlight Message Thread

To view the entire thread, click here.

Pick:
"Jackson is entering his fourth season and has improved his production every year. I don't like that he is a candidate for special teams. But it does show the faith that the coaches have in his tackling ability. He doesn't get a lot of big plays. The fact that he remains a top fantasy CB even without the big plays says a lot about his tackling ability and consistency throughout the season. He covers a lot of ground and has a nose for the ball. A few big plays here and there and he could easily be a top-5 CB.

The PDs are what really separates him from the other CBs and I think are why he doesn't get many INTs. The ratio is about right compared to other CBs (1 INT for every 4-5 PDs if that even matters). I think the reason we don't see more big plays from Jackson, or Hayden for that matter, is because teams just don't pass much against Indy. They were ranked top 3 in pass defense every year Jackson has been there. Attempts per year are always low. I don't think it's that Jackson isn't capable of more PDs and more INTs, he just doesn't get the opportunities. Obviously, you can run all day on Indy, so Jackson gets a lot of opportunities to make tackles downfield."

Jene Bramel:
"Many, including me, have pimped Jackson hard year after year. He's yet to top 70 solos or grab more than one INT. He's never had more than five passes defended in a season. Still, he's a consensus top ten corner in the FBG redraft rankings. Does he really belong in the discussion with the other stud Cover-2 corners?

DonFue:
"Go for LCB over RCB b/c the NFL is right-hand QB dominant. Hayden all the way. Jackson did play OLB in the dime last year but he was wearing down so they played more nickel as the year progressed."

Jene Bramel:
"To be sure, the LCB should get the bulk of the tackle opportunity as the playside corner and facing the WR to whom a right-handed QB is most likely to feel comfortable throwing. But the numbers show that 30-40% of the top tier of scoring and tackling corners are RCBs. That's plenty significant a minority to question a LCB>RCB default. And it's hard to feel comfortable with a default that dismisses the most consistent corner of the past decade as a playmaking anomaly. I think it's worth considering talent, skill set, supporting cast and scheme as well."

BigSteelThrill:
"Steady improvement in each of the previous few years bodes well for Marlin Jackson in '08. His tackle numbers are more than respectable, but his ball skills leave a lot to be desired. His value will fluctuate greatly between tackle-heavy and big-play leagues."

Projections

IDP Scoring System

• 1.5 pts per Solo Tackle
• 0.75 pts per Assisted Tackle
• 4 pts per Sack
• 4 pts per Forced Fumble
• 4 pts per Fumble Recovery
• 5 pts per Interception
• 1.5 pts per Pass Defensed
• 6 pts per Touchdown
• 2 pts per Safety