Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Grading the DeSean Jackson Signing
By Erik Lambert
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers knew their top priority was to find somebody who could compliment wide receiver Mike Evans in the passing game.
Jameis Winston after all is their franchise and building around him has become priority one. Evans is great but he’s still just one man. Finding a target on the outside who can take some heat away would be huge. Enter DeSean Jackson. The former Pro Bowler is coming off a successful run with the Washington Redskins. Tampa reportedly wanted him the last time he was available but failed. According to multiple sources the team finally got their guy, and the speed that comes with him.
Buccaneers reached agreement with DeSean Jackson on a three-year, $35-million contract that includes $20 million guaranteed, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
Here is what NFL Mocks had to say in his free agent scouting report and what the Buccaneers can expect from him moving forward.
"“For years DeSean Jackson has been one of the NFL’s best deep threats with blazing speed and an energetic personality. Injuries ranging from hamstrings to shoulder have plagued Jackson throughout his career but it hasn’t stopped him from having over 1,000 receiving yards in three of his last four seasons. Last year with the Redskins Jackson recorded just four touchdowns despite surpassing that 1,000 receiving yard mark. Any team that needs someone with rocket power speed to be a secondary receiver should be taking a hard look at Action Jackson.”"
GRADE: B+
Jackson is exactly the sort of compliment needed for a big body like Evans. His speed not only can take the top off a defense, but also a way to clear space in coverages. This allows other teammates more room to operate against aggressive defenses. It’s no accident that Washington and Philadelphia were so explosive with him on the field. At 30-years old though it’s hard to wonder how much juice he’s got left given a shaky injury history.