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WR Darrell Jackson, Denver Broncos

HT: 6-0, WT: 197, Born: 12-6-1978, College: Florida, Drafted: Round 3

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: D Lee (149), J Gaffney (150), Darrell Jackson (151), R Torain (152), J Garcia (153)
Position: J Hardy (145-WR52), J Gaffney (150-WR53), Darrell Jackson (151 - WR54), D Bennett (162-WR55), D Hester (174-WR56)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

Best Case

Forget 2007, Darrell Jackson can still be a factor in the NFL. Jackson was hoping a team would take a chance on him after his disastrous season with the 49ers, and here comes Mike Shanahan to plug Darrell into the starting lineup. The 49ers entire offense was in shambles last season, so it's no surprise that all the players on that unit had horrible seasons. It was only 2 years ago that Darrell Jackson was a top 15 fantasy receiver, and he is looking to bounce back strong. Currently there is an open competition opposite of Brandon Marshall, and Jackson's familiarity with Shanahan's offense makes him a front runner. Jackson will have to hold off Keary Colbert, but that shouldn't prove to be too difficult. If Jackson can stay healthy one can expect almost 100 targets from Jay Cutler. Jay is a much better passer than Alex Smith, Trent Dilfer, or anyone else that threw to Jackson in 2007. One could expect Darrell to put up near 1,200 yards and 5-7 TDs.

Worst Case

If the WR desperate 49ers don't want you, then your career may be over. Jackson had over 100 targets from the 49ers QBs in 2007, yet only managed 46 receptions with only 3 TDs. It was a big disappointment since big things were expected from him when he came to San Francisco from Seattle for a 4th round pick. Sure, the QBs are to blame -- as is the entire offense, but Jackson's best playing days are behind him. A quad injury last year forced him to miss some playing time, and is just a reminder that Jackson has a tendency to be injury prone. The Broncos have brought in a strong group of young WRs like Keary Colbert and Samie Parker, they even drafted a WR in the 2nd round -- Eddie Royal. Darrell is a Florida receiver, and is familiar with Mike Shanahan's offense, but in no way does that guarantee him a job, let alone a starting job. If healthy Jackson could be stuck in a messy WRBC with Colbert and Parker while Eddie Royal learns the ropes. If that's the case, don't expect more than he did last season. This means less than 500 yards receiving and only a handful of TDs.

Outlook

Darrell Jackson could be a bigger factor than most people expect. We still don't know how Brandon Marshall's injury is going to effect his play on the field. And when's the last time Keary Colbert made an impact on Sunday's? Samie Parker -- forget it! Eddie Royal could turn out to be a very solid pro, but rookie WRs usually take some time to get up to speed in the NFL. Darrell Jackson is only 1 year removed from a very solid season, and is a wily veteran who knows how to get open. If Marshall is ready to go, it will only help Jackson -- and that Broncos passing game. Darrell is looking to redeem himself, he's on a team with a good young QB, and he's on an offense that will do more than go 3 and out. This season one can expect Jackson to get into that rhythm that eluded him in San Francisco. That means Jackson should be a top 25 WR once again.

Relevant Articles

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Jackson was the 49ers most targeted receiver with ten targets. He saved the game winning drive when he recovered the Battle fumble in the end zone to preserve the drive. He finished the night with four receptions for 36 yards.

Week 2 - Jackson was Smith's most reliable target. He had the most catches although he only had three. They were for good yardage as he accumulated 61 yards.

Week 3 - Jackson led the 49ers in receiving yardage. He caught only one pass for twelve yards in the first half, however, and was unable to get open deep downfield. Jackson did a nice job of getting both feet down in bounds on a sideline route in the second half.

Week 4 - Jackson was the primary target for the 49ers, though he couldn't get behind the defense for any long gains, as Trent Dilfer was frequently forced to get rid of the ball quickly due to the Seahawks pass rush.

Week 5 - Jackson received three targets in this game, none of them coming until the third quarter. He caught two for six yards. Though he started the entire game, he struggled to make an impact with the 49ers offense running through Frank Gore.

Week 7 - Jackson, who was targeted five times, was only able to bring in two passes for six total yards and a score. He managed to find the back of the end zone as time was expiring in the fourth quarter, on a pass from Trent Dilfer.

Week 8 - Inactive due to injury (quad).

Week 9 - Jackson looked a little sluggish in his return to the lineup after sitting one out with a quad injury. He was targeted once in the red zone, and Smith looked his way more often as the game progressed, but the results were just not there.

Week 10 - Jackson had a quiet night against his old team as his only catch of the game came in the third quarter.

Week 11 - Jackson came up with just two catches on his eight targets, including a very catchable ball in the fourth quarter that would have tied the game at 13-13. Jackson was targeted three times in the end zone on the final two drives, including the final play of the game in which Dilfer was intercepted.

Week 12 - Jackson was targeted often across the middle and had a couple of drops in this game. In all, he finished with five catches for 43 yards, with a long reception of ten yards.

Week 13 - Jackson was thrown to seven times but only caught one pass for 12 yards. Jackson was the intended receiver when Dilfer was intercepted and the ball was returned for the touchdown. The turnover was not Jackson's fault since the pass was just thrown too low.

Week 15 - Jackson, who has been invisible most of the season, made a nice connection with QB Shaun Hill. He made a nice diving catch for 14 yards and a first down early in the game. He caught a 19 yard pass on the left side line late in the first half for his biggest gain of the half. Jackson had his best receiving game of year by far, by catching eight passes for 86 yards. Hill's solid play benefited Jackson the most, but the Bengals poor play from there cornerbacks added to his success as he had little trouble getting open.

Week 16 - Jackson was targeted just three times, but finished with two receptions for 27 yards that included a second quarter score from 21 yards out.

Week 17 - Jackson was able to catch a touchdown in the game as he broke away from Leigh Bodden on a nice corner route. Outside of the touchdown catch, Jackson had a quiet day, being targeted but struggling to get into any kind of rhythm with Chris Weinke. Jackson finished the game with three catches for 28 yards.