With several key players opting out on defense for the 2020 season, the Patriots cornerbacks group will be even more important than it's been in the past.
It's arguably the deepest position on the roster with reining NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, upcoming star J.C. Jackson and then veterans Jason McCourty and Jonathan Jones, as well as versatile second-year player Joejuan Williams.
When asked about the group's mentality on a video conference Wednesday, Jackson had an interesting answer.
"Scary. It's a scary sight, man," he said.
It's not clear exactly what he meant by it, but it seems Jackson and the group know their potential. Although, Jackson did not really want to speak much to that as when he was asked about the position potentially having to carry the defense with Patrick Chung and Dont'a Hightower opting out, Jackson responded with, "next question."
Jackson, who is entering his third year in the league, could emerge as one of the NFL's better cornerbacks, but he's just looking to improve on what he did a year ago.
"Every year is a new year," he said. "I am just trying to build on what I did last year and carry it on to this year. Like I said, it's a new year every year and I have to prove myself and compete to try and earn a job."
According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson has the lowest completion percentage allowed in the NFL since 2017 at 49.6.
