When the Steelers made the trade for former Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson, there was much more at stake than previously expected.
With a limited wide receiver room and a thinning cornerback room following Cam Sutton's suspension, Jackson's performance this season has become even more important, according to CBS Sports analyst Zachary Pereles.
In his latest piece on "50 under-the-radar players" who can shape the season, Pereles listed Jackson as one of two Steelers whose presence could impact the team. With minimal depth at the cornerback position, Pereles details why his addition is crucial to the team:
"Much like the wide receiver room, the Steelers' cornerback room is awfully thin after Joey Porter Jr., who played well as a rookie. Jackson wasn't Pittsburgh's biggest-name acquisition this offseason, but he will be a crucial one."
Last season with the Panthers, Jackson allowed a passer rating of 107.7 when targeted but only a completion percentage of 67.2. By all accounts, Jackson is the team's top slot cornerback on the right side, alongside Anthony Averett and Cory Trice Jr., who missed his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL suffered during training camp last year.
In addition to Jackson, tight end Pat Freiermuth was named as the team's other under-the-radar impact player for the upcoming season.
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