Cincy Jungle - Bengals Select Houston CB William Jackson IIIWho Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2017-07-25T11:30:01-04:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/113054472017-07-25T11:30:01-04:002017-07-25T11:30:01-04:00William Jackson healthy and giving back at free youth camp
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<p>William Jackson confirms he is fully recovered from his 2016 pectoral injury, while giving back at his free camp in Houston.</p> <p id="0V8ag9"><span>William Jackson</span>’s path to the NFL wasn’t an easy one. He started it in the Fifth Ward of Houston, an area known as a low income, high crime neighborhood. From there, he used the constant doubts of his NFL dream as motivation to succeed. </p>
<p id="CZ3BD2">Now Jackson, who is heading into his second season after being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, is giving back to the place where it all began at his alma mater, Wheatley High School.</p>
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</div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BW1MWFkB6rZ/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Ain't it a blessing !</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by William Jackson III (@doub_duece) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-07-22T01:54:32+00:00">Jul 21, 2017 at 6:54pm PDT</time></p>
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<p id="SmVKDh">"It's a blessing," Jackson told, <a href="http://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Healthy-again-Bengals-William-Jackson-gives-11306330.php?cmpid=twitter-desktop#photo-13280534">Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle</a>. "This is something I always wanted to do when I was little... to give back. God blessed me with a high platform that I could come back and give back. This is where it all started. This is where I got my first hard tackle and knocked my shoulder out of place. I'm just grateful to be back here."</p>
<p id="YnsPUJ">While he was teaching the kids a thing or two about football, he also imparted some wisdom on them about life and accomplishing your dream. That included dealing with doubters for many of his early years, and making a stop at community college due to academic problems. </p>
<p id="tgyETc">"You can't listen to what people say," Jackson said. "Everybody says coming from the Fifth Ward that you can't make it out, well, obviously you can. You just want to show these kids that you can make it out just like I did.</p>
<aside id="jtSpTI"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"William Jackson III and Jordan Willis’ athleticism compared to top NFL players","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/7/10/15942070/william-jackson-jordan-willis-athleticism-top-nfl-players"},{"title":"Could William Jackson III soon be the Bengals’ best player?","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/7/13/15963404/william-jackson-bengals-best-player"}]}'></div></aside><p id="vImMt9">"You can do whatever you put your mind to. My dad always told me that sometimes you got to do what you have to do to get where you need to be. I succeeded. Junior college, it doesn't matter what route you take."</p>
<p id="vyZJni">Jackson wasn’t the only NFL player at his camp either. He was joined by players like running back <span>Kenneth Farrow</span> (<a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a>), wide receiver <span>Demarcus Ayers</span> (<a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>), free agent fullback <span>Lawrence Vickers</span> and former University of Houston linebacker <span>Elandon Roberts</span> (<a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>). <span>Brandon LaFell</span> also made an appearance in his hometown of Houston for his Bengals teammate’s camp.</p>
<p id="g9TJNS">Jackson also made it clear that he didn’t want to charge the kids to participate, and the camp was free of charge.</p>
<p id="LkhwtN">"I'm not hurting for money," Jackson said. "I was drafted in the first round. I would rather spend my money on them."</p>
<p id="K6yYc2">Jackson missed all of his rookie season with a pectoral injury he suffered during training camp. The injury required surgery, but he says he is fully recovered now, and ready to put the frustrations of missing last year behind him.</p>
<p id="AOFEah">"Oh yeah, I'm great," Jackson said. "I'm ready to get going. It was tough. I'm competitive and like to play on the field. It was tough, but I embraced it. We're better now and I'm looking forward to the season."</p>
<p id="3qwuk8">Jackson will compete with a pretty crowded secondary that includes <span>Darqueze Dennard</span>, <span>Josh Shaw</span> and <span>Adam Jones</span>. Jones, who is the projected starter, has been suspended for one game by the NFL for violating the NFL personal-conduct policy. This opens things up for Jackson and Dennard to compete for that perimeter spot opposite starting cornerback <span>Dre Kirkpatrick</span>.</p>
<p id="EuSkft">It is great to see Jackson, a player the Bengals hope will be a big part of their future, in the spotlight for such a great cause. </p>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:28.10185185185185% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div>
</div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BW1L4pgBKt8/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Today I was blessed with an opportunity to give back to my community (5th ward). With my 1st Annual Youth Camp . It was definitely a success . I am most thankful for all the kids that participated. And the parents that were in attendance. I hope that each kid will take something from today and use it as a tool for success. Thanks to all the coaches that volunteered . It was truly a group effort . See y'all next year #iWill</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by William Jackson III (@doub_duece) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-07-22T01:50:31+00:00">Jul 21, 2017 at 6:50pm PDT</time></p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/7/25/16019904/william-jackson-healthy-and-giving-back-at-free-youth-campPatrickJudis2017-07-13T13:00:03-04:002017-07-13T13:00:03-04:00Could William Jackson III soon be the Bengals’ best player?
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<p>PFF makes the case for why WJ3 could soon overtake A.J. Green as the Cincinnati Bengals’ best player.</p> <p id="mlvmfE"><span>A.J. Green</span> is undoubetbly the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>’ best player. He’s been an annual participant in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl">Pro Bowl</a>, ranks among the top five receivers in the NFL and has topped 1,000 in yards in five out of six of his NFL seasons.</p>
<p id="PHtp9h">He’s fun to watch, he’s humble, and he’s under contract in Cincinnati through the 2019 season. That means we have many more years of enjoying Green in Bengals stripes.</p>
<p id="1hRI68">There’s no sign of Green slowing down, in fact, he was on pace for his best-ever season before going down with a hamstring injury in Week 11 of the 2016 season. But could another Bengal top him as the team’s best player?</p>
<p id="8fxF8G"><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.profootballfocus.com%2Fnews%2Fpro-every-teams-best-player-and-which-young-player-could-take-his-place%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2017%2F7%2F13%2F15963404%2Fwilliam-jackson-bengals-best-player" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pro Football Focus has made its picks</a> for every NFL team’s best player and every team’s young player who could overtake that top player. For the Bengals, PFF named Green the best player (he had an 89.4 PFF grade last year and has an 82.2 grade overall for his career) and <span>William Jackson III</span> the young contender to overtake Green as the Bengals’ best player, as soon as 2017.</p>
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<p id="9VFFxZ"><strong>Best Player: </strong><span><strong>A.J. Green</strong></span><strong> – WR</strong></p>
<p id="UkLfyO">A.J. Green is one of the league’s most dominant receivers. Injury robbed him of a career year in 2016, but in the time he was on the field he gained 2.86 yards per route run, which trailed only <span>Julio Jones</span> (3.12) among wide outs.</p>
<p id="JjxTWE"><strong>Young Contender: William Jackson III – CB</strong></p>
<p id="wUVxPd">Cincinnati’s top rookie a year ago suffered an injury and never saw the field in year one, but in his final college season he allowed just 47.4 percent of passes thrown his way to be caught, and tallied five interceptions and 13 pass breakups from the 97 targets sent his way. He has high-end playmaking ability and the size and speed that NFL teams covet at the position, and could still provide a huge impact once recovered to full health.</p>
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<p id="S7tM7O">Jackson has yet to play a snap in the NFL after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in his rookie training camp last year. He’s currently fully healthy and looking to make it through training camp and onto the field in 2017. The problem is, he’s buried on the depth chart, despite having loads of potential (as PFF points out). Jackson is one of four first round cornerbacks on the Bengals’ roster and the veterans of that group, <span>Adam Jones</span> and <span>Dre Kirkpatrick</span> are expected to start this season. Jackson will challenge for Jones’ role and if the embattled cornerback is suspended (<a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/5/22/15673618/dave-lapham-nfl-suspend-adam-jones-bengals">which he may be</a>), Jackson could get a few starts this year. Though, there’s also 2014 first round pick <span>Darqueze Dennard</span>, who’s fighting for playing time and is theoretically ahead of Jackson on the depth chart heading into training camp.</p>
<aside id="FtP0Sb"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"William Jackson III and Jordan Willis’ athleticism compared to top NFL players","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/7/10/15942070/william-jackson-jordan-willis-athleticism-top-nfl-players"},{"title":"William Jackson, Brandon Thompson relish start of OTAs","url":"https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/5/25/15686232/william-jackson-brandon-thompson-bengals-otas"}]}'></div></aside><p id="diTFoc">As this point, we have to hope the Bengals’ coaches allow the best cornerbacks on the roster to start and if that doesn’t include Jackson, that he has opportunities to develop his talent, learn and eventually earn the ability to see the field.</p>
<p id="x8oNRj">It’s going to be fun to see what Jackson is capable of. If he comes anywhere close to being as good of a player as Green that would be amazing news for the Bengals and the team’s fans.</p>
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https://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/7/13/15963404/william-jackson-bengals-best-playerRebecca Toback2016-06-10T16:12:18-04:002016-06-10T16:12:18-04:00William Jackson signs rookie deal with Bengals
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<p>William Jackson just got paid. </p> <p><span>The Cincinnati Bengals have signed William Jackson III to his rookie contract, marking </span>the last of the Bengals Draft picks to be signed. The Bengals now officially have all seven of their 2016 Draft picks under contract for the next four years.</p>
<p><span>The deal is typical for a first round pick, four-years with an option for a fifth year if the team exercises it during the 2019 offseason. </span><a target="_blank" href="http://overthecap.com/player/william-jackson-iii/4737/">Per Over The Cap</a>, the total value of Jackson's deal is $9,705,648 with an average of $2,426,412 per year. Not too shabby for a rookie.</p>
<p>"It's great to have all our guys officially in the fold before our minicamp next week and Will is obviously at the head of that list," said head coach Marvin Lewis. "We see him as a guy can come in right away and make the 46-man roster on Sundays. He's got excellent athletic skills, speed, length and a lot of great qualities to be a great player at the pro level. His ability to play the ball in the air, to play around receivers and not be cumbersome around receivers, is just excellent."</p>
<p>The 24th overall pick in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" data-ref-index="6" style="background-color: #ffffff;">2016 NFL Draft</a>, Jackson was the first player selected by the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" data-ref-index="7" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Bengals </a>in this year's draft. The former <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/houston-cougars" data-ref-index="8" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Houston Cougars</a> cornerback was regarded as one of the two or three best cornerback prospects in this draft.</p>
<p>This past season, Jackson led the NCAA and set a school record for pass breakups in 2015 with 23. He also added five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.</p>
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<p>This year's draft featured a cornerback class that, outside of Florida State's Jalen Ramsey, laked both elite talent and depth. However, Jackson was ranked by many as a top-20 prospect, making him good value for where the Bengals got him.</p>
<p><span>"He finds the football when it's in the air and then he becomes the wide receiver," </span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/william-jackson%20iii?id=2555179">NFL Network's Mike Mayock said of Jackson</a><span>. "I think the Bengals wanted a wide receiver here, but the wide receiver board is gone. So, they take Jackson, who is probably the best player on their board. The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a>, who are picking right behind the Bengals, need a cornerback badly."</span></p>
<p>It was a good strategy by Cincinnati to grab Jackson in Round 1 since other positions of need had more depth that allowed quality prospects to be had in the latter rounds. Defensive tackle was addressed with Andrew Billings in Round 4, while wide receiver was attacked with Tyler Boyd in Round 2.</p>
<p>Though this position wasn't expected to be addressed this early, Jackson is a solid corner who can help upgrade the Bengals' secondary with <span>Leon Hall</span> gone. You could make a good case for cornerback being a big position of need with <span>Darqueze Dennard</span> coming off a major shoulder injury and <span>Dre Kirkpatrick</span> not exactly having a great first year as a full-time starter.</p>
<p id="paragraph4"><a data-ref-index="12" href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.profootballfocus.com%2Fblog%2F2016%2F02%2F29%2Fdraft-why-william-jackson-iii-may-be-the-best-cb-in-the-2016-draft%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2016%2F6%2F10%2F11595866%2Fwilliam-jackson-iii-signs-rookie-deal-with-bengals" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Pro Football Focus</a> wrote that Jackson may end up being this draft's best corner.</p>
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<p id="paragraph5">Jackson was PFF's second-highest graded cornerback in coverage this season, and second only to Ramsey in overall grade when play against the run is thrown into the equation. He was targeted 93 times this past season, allowing only 46 catches (49.5 percent). He had five interceptions and 12 pass breakups, allowing a passer rating of just 57.9 when thrown his way.</p>
<p id="paragraph6">Jackson does seem to have some mental lapses during games, occasionally seeming confused with motion and route combinations designed to force him into a quick decision. However, when he can just line up and play coverage against a receiver he demonstrates high-level ability and an almost limitless potential.</p>
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<p id="paragraph8"><a href="http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2016/4/20/11469230/matt-judon-grand-valley-state-draft-profile/in/11223087" target="_blank" data-ref-index="13">Be sure to read Under Dog Dynasty's scouting report of Jackson</a>.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/6/10/11595866/william-jackson-iii-signs-rookie-deal-with-bengalsJason Marcum2016-06-05T20:47:14-04:002016-06-05T20:47:14-04:00Steelers coach admits PIT wanted WJ3 in Round 1
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<p>Former Steelers great and current team defensive backs coach Carnell Lake spilled the beans on Pittsburgh's 2016 NFL Draft intentions.</p> <p>Mel Blount, <span>Troy Polamalu</span> and Carnell Lake are just a few of the countless great <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> defensive backs in the team's history. And while some great players don't always make the best coaches, Lake has done a solid job with the Steelers' secondary since he joined the staff in 2011.</p>
<p>The 2015 season wasn't necessarily a banner year for the back end of the Steelers' defense though, as they ranked 30th in the league against the pass. It's a big reason why the Steelers were targeting a cornerback in the first round of this year's Draft, with many rumors pointing to the team being interested in William Jackson III, who went one pick earlier at No. 24 to the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Bengals</a>.</p>
<p>Recently, <a href="http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/06/carnell-lake-confirms-steelers-targeting-william-jackson/">Lake publicly corroborated the rumors</a> by stating Pittsburgh was set to take Jackson at No. 25.</p>
<p>Apparently, Lake was addressing folks at an event called "Steelers Men's Fantasy Camp", in which the crowd included season ticket holders. One such season ticket holder relayed Lake's comments as something to the effect of <span>"He basically just said 'Yeah, we wanted WJIII but Cincy sacked him from us, then took another [question]'".</span></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">More BREAKING NEWS FROM CARNELL: WJIII WAS going to be Steelers pick before Cin snaked him <a href="https://twitter.com/SteelDad">@SteelDad</a></p>
— Cocktails-n-Dreams (@CraigScott31) <a href="https://twitter.com/CraigScott31/status/739161957312409600">June 4, 2016</a>
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<p>Instead of landing Jackson, the Steelers took University of Miami cornerback, Artie Burns in the first round. Though Burns is talented in his own right, most draftniks had Jackson rated significantly higher. Both teams have extremely talented rosters, but the picks show a difference in each squad's draft philosophy this year--the Bengals went best player available after receivers flew off the board, while the Steelers were adamant about getting cornerback help.</p>
<p>Lake's admission also adds fuel to the fire in the rivalry that has heated up greatly in the <span>Marvin Lewis</span> era. While it's not likely the Bengals took a player in the first round for the purpose of sticking it to a division rival, some Steelers fans may feel that that was the underlying purpose of the selection.</p>
<p>Regardless, the Bengals ended up with the best player on their board after four receivers were selected before they were on the clock. Meanwhile, Lake and the Steelers' staff had to be a bit exasperated once the announcement was made, but they settled for Burns.</p>
<p>Only time will tell which pick turns out to be the better one.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/6/5/11863044/steelers-defensive-backs-coach-carnell-lake-says-team-wanted-williamAnthony Cosenza2016-06-03T14:57:10-04:002016-06-03T14:57:10-04:00Will WJIII find playing time in 2016?
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<p>The Bengals don't typically give much playing time to rookies, but could William Jackson III break that trend?</p> <p>By most accounts, William Jackson III is an incredibly talented cornerback with the tools to find plenty of success at the NFL level. There are some who <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/5/21/11721720/william-jackson-ranked-among-early-round-rookies-most-likely-to-disappoint?_ga=1.169992672.1585000710.1455890694">seem to think that he will be a disappointment</a>, but they tend to be analysts who don't really understand how the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a> work.</p>
<p>One of the Bengals' more common tactics with rookies is to sit them during their rookie year and give them a chance to learn behind veterans. That should be the expectation of most Bengals fans for this year, so it should be pretty hard for Jackson to disappoint in 2016.</p>
<p>But, there is the possibility that he could exceed expectations and make an immediate impact, as <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.profootballfocus.com%2Fpro-20-newcomers-who-will-make-an-immediate-impact-in-2016%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2016%2F6%2F3%2F11850668%2Fwhat-it-will-take-for-william-jackson-iii-to-see-significant-playing" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pro Football Focus projected him to do </a>in their list of 20 players new to their team who will make an immediate impact in 2016. It could be very tough for Jackson to find a role early in a typically rigid Bengals roster, but PFF does make a few good points.</p>
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<h3>7. William Jackson III, CB, Bengals</h3>
<p><em><strong>How he got here:</strong> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">2016 NFL draft</a> (Round 1, pick No. 24 overall, Houston)</em></p>
<p>The opportunities for <span>Dre Kirkpatrick</span> to start in Cincinnati had been limited up to the 2015 season, perhaps partly because of what the coaches saw in practice. As a full-time starter, he ranked 103rd overall at the position (in terms of grade). He was seventh from the bottom in tackling efficiency, missing 16-of-71 attempted in 2015; William Jackson missed only five-of-52 in college a year ago. The former Houston Cougar's physicality and exceptional coverage skills make him a good candidate for immediate success.</p>
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<p>The main argument against Jackson finding playing time in 2016, other than the fact that it's not what the Bengals normally do, is that the position is already stacked. Then again, with <span>Darqueze Dennard</span> coming off of a major injury and Dre Kirkpatrick struggling to find consistency, there might be room for the rookie to find some action next to <span>Adam Jones</span>.</p>
<p>For Jackson to find playing time in 2016, it will probably require the coaches not seeing much improvement from Kirkpatrick in training camp and Dennard not being physically ready to start at the beginning of the season. If Jackson can really make an impression on the coaches in training camp, practice, and in the preseason, there definitely is a chance he could find starting time on the field early on in the season.</p>
<p>Once Jackson manages to find early playing time, the fact that he has the kind of talent to make an immediate impact will be crucial. If he can show the Bengals that he can lock down portions of some of the best receiver corps in the NFL such as that of the <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Jets</a> (Week 1) and <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> (Week 2), that will show the coaching staff that they have no choice but to play him early and often.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the fact that the Bengals are going up against pass-heavy teams early on in the season could also overwhelm the rookie and show the coaching staff that he needs more time to sit and learn before they fully throw him out into the fire. It's hard to tell exactly what will happen without having much of any on-field action to gauge how ready he is.</p>
<p>Then again, he's already impressed various members of the Bengals so far. <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/5/6/11611586/bengals-adam-jones-believes-william-jackson-was-best-corner-in-draft">Adam Jones recently explained</a> he thinks Jackson was the best cornerback in the draft, and <span>Marvin Lewis</span> <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/5/10/11640418/marvin-lewis-impressed-by-rookies-including-2-undrafted-receivers?_ga=1.161530364.1585000710.1455890694">raved about the rookie </a>after day one of the Bengals' rookie mini-camp.</p>
<p>However, one of the most important votes of confidence is the one that he has in himself. He's already <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/6/2/11839834/william-jackson-iii-eager-to-validate-bengals-first-round-selection">shown his eagerness to prove the Bengals </a>were right to pick him in the first round. He's managed to back that goal up by making a positive impression on various members of the team and coaching staff in the few early chances he's had on the practice field. If he keeps this up, there is a good chance he could find more playing time in his rookie season than the recent first round corners (Kirkpatrick, Dennard) and make an immediate impact in 2016.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/6/3/11850668/what-it-will-take-for-william-jackson-iii-to-see-significant-playingKyle Phelps2016-06-02T17:00:03-04:002016-06-02T17:00:03-04:00WJ3 eager to validate Bengals' Round 1 selection
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<figcaption>Bob Levey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>William Jackson III continues to impress in offseason workouts. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Bengals</a> may have one of the NFL's best cornerback units when the 2016 season begins.</p>
<p>If that ends up being the case, it should involve their first-round selection making a significant impact as a rookie. That's exactly what William Jackson III hopes to do this year while validating the Bengals' decision to spend the 24th overall pick on him.</p>
<p><span>"I'm just trying to go out there and make a statement, and let them know why they drafted me," </span><a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/22855/william-jackson-iii-bengals-first-rounder-nfl-draft-mission-to-make-statement" target="_blank">Jackson told ESPN's Coley Harvey</a><span>.</span></p>
<p><span>While the Bengals are already deep at corner, Jackson continues to impress in offseason workouts, and veteran corner Adam Jones continues to be </span><a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/5/6/11611586/bengals-adam-jones-believes-william-jackson-was-best-corner-in-draft" target="_blank">one of his biggest fans</a><span>. </span></p>
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<p><span>"He's good," Jones said. "The kid is quick as hell, too. He's just got to work on the little stuff. It'll be my job to help him, me and the coaches. And he can be really good. </span>He's got a chance to be really special."</p>
<p>ESPN analyst Louis Riddick recently said that Jackson was one of the rookies he's been hearing great things about recently, and he may end up being the best corner the Bengals Drafted since <span>Johnathan Joseph</span>.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Another name I hear great things about thus far is Bengals CB William Jackson III. Could be best CB they have drafted since J. Joseph '06.</p>
— Louis Riddick (@LRiddickESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/LRiddickESPN/status/736398842875289600">May 28, 2016</a>
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<p>It is worth noting that <span>Leon Hall</span> was as good, if not better than Jo-Jo before two Achilles' tendon tears robbed him of several years of his prime, but that's another debate for another day.</p>
<p>The point is that the Bengals have been as good as any NFL team when it comes to drafting first-round corners, so the odds of Jackson being a good one seem to be good based on recent history.</p>
<p>The notion that Jackson may end up being as good, if not better than any of them isn't crazy to think about either, especially when guys like <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.profootballfocus.com%2Fdraft-why-william-jackson-iii-may-be-the-best-cb-in-the-2016-draft%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2016%2F6%2F2%2F11839834%2Fwilliam-jackson-iii-eager-to-validate-bengals-first-round-selection" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Pro Football Focus think he may be the best corner to come from the 2016 Draft</a>. He's done nothing to dispute that notion in offseason workouts thus far.</p>
<p>While Jackson has yet to even go through a fully-padded NFL practice, he's continuing to show the kind of progress and potential the Bengals were hoping to see when they Drafted him in Round 1 this year.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/6/2/11839834/william-jackson-iii-eager-to-validate-bengals-first-round-selectionJason Marcum2016-05-07T10:30:02-04:002016-05-07T10:30:02-04:00William Jackson III, Tyler Boyd matched up in 2015
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<p>Who got the best of the other?</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bengals</a>' first two selections of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">2016 NFL Draft</a> might end up facing each other in practice, but when that eventually happens, it won't be the first time the two match up. In January 2015, <span>William Jackson III</span> covered <span>Tyler Boyd</span> in the Armed Forces Bowl. Boyd was Pittsburgh's top wide receiver, and Jackson was Houston's top corner, so naturally, the two players matched up with each other on a couple of occasions in the bowl game.</p>
<p>''We had some nice battles,'' Boyd said Friday, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/bengals-top-2-picks-were-locked-on-each-other-in-bowl-game-050616?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">per FOX Sports.</a></p>
<p>Boyd got the best of Jackson III on a couple of occasions, hauling in nine passes for 112 yards--though it's important to note Jackson III wasn't covering Boyd every time the receiver caught a pass. ''There wasn't a lot of man coverage because it was wet and slick,'' Boyd said. ''They played off us a little bit. I didn't get matched up with him as often as people thought we would have.''</p>
<p>When asked about Boyd, Jackson III had only great things to say. ''He's a great player. He caught lot of balls in that game. Now he's a teammate and the sky's the limit," Jackson said. Jackson III had the last laugh, as his <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/houston-cougars" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Cougars</a> came out on top with a 35-34 victory over Pitt.</p>
<p>"He was probably one of the top guys that I've faced,"<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/22524/bengals-picks-william-jackson-iii-tyler-boyd-were-part-of-historic-game" target="_blank"> Boyd added via ESPN</a>. "I can tell he has a lot of dog in him. I've seen him play against other teams, and I know that he's in the same caliber as me. I know he's all about competing and trying to be the best."</p>
<p>Both Bengals rookies will have opportunities to battle for snaps, and perhaps they'll need to battle each other in practice to earn those snaps. It looks like there is a mutual respect between the two, so hopefully the first and second round picks can push each other to get better, further enabling the Bengals to improve as a team and hopefully make progress toward a potential playoff win, or even better, a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl" class="sbn-auto-link">Super Bowl</a>.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/5/7/11612884/william-jackson-iii-and-tyler-boyd-faced-each-other-in-2014-bowl-gameConnor Howe2016-05-05T16:15:03-04:002016-05-05T16:15:03-04:00Bengals CBs welcome talent and challenge of WJ3
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<p>"I totally agree with the decision," Adam Jones said recently of the Bengals taking a stud corner in the first round. The rest of the group sounds both happy that William Jackson III was the team's choice, but are also aware of his pushing of the rest of the position group.</p> <p>An old, and somewhat cliched adage in sports says something about competition always being a positive for even the most stout of teams. Pete Carroll preaches it to his <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a>, and it appears the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> are also embracing the idea, as evidenced by <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/4/29/11541406/bengals-select-houston-cb-william-jackson-iii">their first round selection</a> of cornerback William Jackson III.</p>
<p>Cornerback is stacked with talent for the Bengals, including three other former first rounders and another fourth round pick, so Jackson has been <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/5/3/11580124/will-jackson-proves-why-watching-film-matters-eager-to-learn-bengals?_ga=1.166857980.352141512.1452062117">placed in a situation from which he can learn</a>. The effect appears to be a reciprocal one, as <span>Adam Jones</span>, <span>Dre Kirkpatrick</span>, <span>Darqueze Dennard</span> and <span>Josh Shaw</span> welcome Jackson to the group, but are also feeling the pressure to perform in 2016 and beyond.</p>
<p>Jones and Kirkpatrick <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/4/29/11542562/adam-jones-dre-kirkpatrick-and-will-jackson-out-together-in-cincinnati">recently took Jackson out to dinner </a>after he landed in Cincinnati, and give him some of their wisdom. "I was just telling him all the things he needs to expect. Just keeping it real with him. Not being one of those guys that say certain things and that’s really not what it was," <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincinnati.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnfl%2Fbengals%2F2016%2F05%2F02%2Fbengals-corners-react-jacksons-arrival%2F83836744%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2016%2F5%2F5%2F11600112%2Fbengals-corners-welcome-the-talent-and-challenge-provided-by-william" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Kirkpatrick said via <i>The Cincinnati Enquirer</i></a><i>.</i> I wanted him to know what it really was. I said it’s not my job to give you a position. It’s my job to teach you and for you to go out there and take it."</p>
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<p>Jones, the grizzled veteran at the position, fresh off of his own big contract this offseason, likes the decision of bringing WJ3 on board. "I totally agree with the decision," Jones said. "We always need depth in the back end. I’m eager for the challenge for the group, man. My main thing with the guys is less talk, more actions. And everything will work out."</p>
<p>That challenge is permeating through the whole group beyond Jones as well. Kirkpatrick, whose future is less certain than Jones' after this season, noted his realization that the move is based on pro football being a series of business decisions. Kirkpatrick realizes he has work to do after a disappointing first season as a full-time starter, even though he was <a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/5/2/11571338/dre-kirkpatrick-shoulder-injury-rehabbing-surgery">hampered by a shoulder injury</a> most of the year. He also stated his preference of staying in Cincinnati after 2016, once his fifth-year option expires.</p>
<p><span>"At the end of the day, it can only be helpful," said <span>Josh Shaw</span>, last year's promising fourth round selection. "You have a lot of guys who are very, very talented and it's a competitive room. For me, I was able to get here and see the <span>Leon Hall</span>s the Adam Jones, Dres and even Darqueze, and everybody has their different traits about them, that are really special so you kind of get to pick from seeing differing things in everybody’s game to help yourself. For me, last year, I was able to learn a lot."</span></p>
<p>Shaw will be soaking up more in year two, with his contributions mostly continuing on special teams, and the hope is Jackson will be the same type of sponge as a rookie. And, if his introductory press conference is any indication, Jackson sounds like he's willing to sit back and watch from the other veterans. <span>"Every player needs a mentor and someone to look up to," Jackson said. "Being behind those guys and seeing how they get the job done and what technique they use can help me a lot. When I get my opportunity, I can go in and play just like they play for years."</span></p>
<p><span>Marvin Lewis</span> loves first round defensive backs, and Jackson is the fifth corner taken in the head coach's 14-year regime. Fortunately for Jackson, as was the cases with Kirkpatrick and Dennard, he won't need to be immediately thrown in the fire like Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph. His arrival, while pushing the others, provides extreme depth in today's passing-driven NFL.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/5/5/11600112/bengals-corners-welcome-the-talent-and-challenge-provided-by-williamAnthony Cosenza