Former Alabama S Eddie Jackson challenging for starting spot in Chicago
By Adam Spencer
Published:
The Chicago Bears have to be feeling good about the steal they got in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
There, they selected former Alabama S Eddie Jackson, who fell so far due to a broken leg suffered during his senior season in Tuscaloosa.
Fully healthy now, Jackson is already working with the first-string defense and could be a starter when the season kicks off in a couple of weeks.
Coach John Fox told the Chicago Tribune that what separates Jackson from other rookies are his natural instincts and ability to find the ball:
“He’s very football aware,” Fox said. “He’s got a good football IQ. He has learned our defense very quickly. He is a natural center fielder, meaning he plays the ball very well.”
Jackson credits his career at Alabama for having him ready for the NFL, saying he learned what it took to be a pro while playing for Nick Saban’s defense:
“You just know how to adjust to things, especially how to study for it and things to look at,” Jackson said. “It was the same thing at Alabama. We had a lot of formation and shifting adjustments.
“Here it’s just a little complicated because you’re with a new group of guys. You’ve just got to get to know everything — know the play calls, the name of plays, which is different.”
The Bears open the 2017 season on Sunday, Sept. 10, against the Atlanta Falcons. If all goes well the next two weeks, Jackson should be out there with the Chicago starters.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
