FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- General Manager Thomas Dimitroff hinted in a Sunday morning press conference that the Falcons would look to improve in the passing game -- on defense and offense.
The team took a step toward one side of that double goal by selecting LSU cornerback Chevis Jackson with the 68th overall pick (third round).
Dimitroff said the team considered trading up higher to select Jackson, but elected to hold tight despite a run at the cornerback position. In the end, the Falcons got their man.
"He's a very good Cover Two corner," the General Manager said. "He has a very good feel for a defense and is very instinctive. We were excited to get him in the third round."
With Jackson playing the shutdown cornerback role, the Tigers ranked third in the nation in total defense, allowing 288.79 yards per game in 2007, 242.77 yards in 2006 and 266.85 yards in 2005. In his senior season, opposing quarterbacks completed only 25.61 percent of the passes thrown into Jackson's area (21-of-82), and Jackson held the opposition to a miniscule 2.8 yards per pass attempt.
As a senior, Jackson batted away 16 passes and intercepted five more to earn first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors. He delivered three stops for losses among his 44 tackles (34 solo).
“I’d like to say that I can mix it up and do whatever the coaches ask me to do," Jackson said via conference call. "I try to go out there and do the scheme for that week and whatever the coaches ask me to do.”
Jackson comes into camp competing against several at his position, including newly-acquired Von Hutchins (free agent signing).
“No we haven’t talked about that yet," Jackson said when asked about competition. "They drafted me today and it’s been very exciting for me and my family. We’ve just been celebrating over the last couple of hours. They haven’t given me any indication on what I’m going to be doing. I’m just trying to come in and compete."
Head Coach Mike Smith seemed very pleased with the acquisition of Jackson, and said the rookie will start work in camp at right cornerback opposite Chris Houston. However, as every corner on the roster will do, Jackson will "cross train" at other positions.
In 50 games at LSU, Jackson started 40 games. He registered 142 tackles (103 solo) with an assisted sack for minus-3 yards and eight stops for losses of 25 yards. He caused and recovered a fumble and also averaged 6.7 yards on 15 punt returns. He broke up 36 passes and intercepted eight others for 62 yards in returns (7.8-yard average).
MORE ON TACKLE CHEVIS JACKSON:
- VIDEO: Combine Interview | Highlights
- WIKIPEDIA: Chevis Dauro Jackson
- NFL.com: Chevis Jackson profile
- YOUTUBE: Jackson INT vs. Alabama
- YOUTUBE: Chevis Jackson Highlights
- YOUTUBE: DraftGuysTV Profile -- Chevis Jackson
- NEWS: LSU's Jackson becomes Falcons third-round pick | Quotes | Photos
- AF.com: Click here for complete NFL Draft coverage
