Eagles Starting Adoree’ Jackson at CB2 Wouldn’t Be the End of the World
Everyone has likely experienced this feeling as a child. You had just received a few new toys for your birthday. One of them was the top toy on your wishlist that you couldn’t wait to open. The other was something that you didn’t even know existed as you quickly dismissed it and tossed to the side.
Yet the time finally came to play with your new toys and the top toy on your wishlist proved to be a major disappointment. But the toy that you originally weren’t excited about proved to be better than you expected. It wasn’t the greatest toy that you’ve ever had but it kept you busy.
Now how in the world does this analogy apply to the Eagles? Well third-year CB Kelee Ringo was viewed as that top toy on Philadelphia’s wishlist. Many believed Ringo would be win the starting CB2 job rather easily, while reaching his full potential in 2025. Yet Ringo has struggled to put it all together on the field and has seemingly fallen out of the mix for the starting job.
Meanwhile, veteran CB Adoree’ Jackson appears to be the current favorite to win the starting CB2 job. When the Eagles initially signed Jackson, many believed that he wouldn’t even make Philadelphia’s final 53-man roster. Yet fast forward to the end of training camp and Jackson has been Philadelphia’s most consistent option on the outside opposite of Quinyon Mitchell in nickel packages.
While many Eagles’ fans are concerned about Jackson starting at CB2, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Jackson is 29-years old and is coming off an inconsistent season with the New York Giants so it’s easy to see the lack of appeal. Yet there is a bit more to like about Jackson than people might realize.
For example, his current profile compares very favorably to another former Eagles CB2 when they initially signed with the team. Here is how Jackson compares to James Bradberry when he initially signed with Philadelphia:
Prior to joining the Eagles, both Jackson and Bradberry had eerily similar stats in several categories. Yet Bradberry was celebrated as a steal in free agency, while Jackson was quickly dismissed as a likely cut candidate.
Bradberry went on to enjoy a Second-Team All-Pro stint in his first season with the Eagles. Although things eventually went off the rails in his second season in Philadelphia. If Jackson can provide anything remotely close to Bradberry’s performance from 2022, the Eagles will be in great shape at CB2.
While I’m not saying that Jackson and Bradberry are the same players, I do believe that Jackson can provide a higher floor than Philadelphia’s other current options at CB2. Jackson is going to allow a few receptions but I don’t believe that he is going to make many game-breaking mistakes.
For example, he showed flashes of what he could be as the team’s CB2 against the Cincinnati Bengals in Philadelphia’s preseason opener. Jackson was matched up against Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins on eight total plays.
He allowed one reception on two targets during those plays, which was a 12-yard pass to Chase near the sideline. Higgins failed to haul in a target across the middle of the field. Chase also caught a “touchdown” on a broken play that was nullified by a chop block penalty.
Here’s a look at Jackson’s eight snaps against Cincinnati’s dynamic WR duo:
Another aspect of Jackson’s game that could help raise the floor at CB2 is his tackling ability. Through two preseason games, Jackson has allowed just four total yards after the catch, according to Pro Football Focus. Yet Ringo has allowed 50 total yards after the catch in Philadelphia’s first two preseason games in 2025.
Through the first eight seasons of his NFL career Jackson has a missed tackle rate of 11.2%. Which is noticeably better than Jakorian Bennett, who has a career missed tackle rate of 22.4%. Considering that Bennett now seems like the closest competitor to Jackson for the starting CB2 job, the difference in tackling reliability is notable.
While Jackson isn’t who many expected to win the starting CB2 job in Philadelphia, it isn’t the end of the world if he does. Jackson is an experienced outside CB that should provide a steady floor next to Mitchell and DeJean. After all, sometimes the toy that you weren’t excited about proves to be one of your favorite gifts.