Over the span of a rookie contract, not every Day 3 draft pick can muster 52 appearances, including 28 starts, and 28 passes defensed. When the Buffalo Bills selected Pittsburgh cornerback Dane Jackson in the seventh round, they discovered a hidden gem. The Bills are probably interested in offering the spot starter a second contract now that he is eligible for one.
Tre’Davious White is currently unidentified while he is recovering from Achilles surgery and is suspected of being a salary cap casualty. Jackson would serve as a proven backup cornerback if Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford are the Bills’ two starting corners. The 27-year-old defensive back, who has shown to be an ideal scheme fit for head coach Sean McDermott’s defense with the Bills, will probably receive a small contract that the cap-strapped team can easily afford. Spotrac calculates the average for Jackson.
Shortly after White sustained an Achilles injury that ended the season in Week 4, McDermott stated in October that “He’s been nothing but exceptional in his mindset, willing to contribute to in any role to the team.”
With White sidelined, Jackson made a total of six starts; however, after the Bills acquired Douglas from the Packers at the trade deadline, Jackson lost ground on the depth chart. Jackson had previously been called upon to fill in for an injured player. Jackson took over as the starting quarterback for the balance of the 2021 season after White suffered an ACL tear against New Orleans on Thanksgiving. As White continues his rehabilitation on Injured Reserve, Jackson started the first game of 2022 in place of Benford. Throughout the season, he made 15 appearances (14 starts), recording 12 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.
Jackson, who made five games as a rookie in 2020, was taken No. 239 overall and has been a valuable asset to the back end of the current four-time AFC East champs. Over the previous three seasons, he has played in at least 15 games and totaled 152 career tackles.
