J.C. Jackson on the Patriots cornerback depth: ‘It’s a scary sight’

FOXBORO – The Patriots secondary was among the NFL’s best in 2019. Led by Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, this group led the way for the Pats last season. The team allowed just 180.4 passing yards per game last year, which was second best in the NFL. They allowed league-low 62.8 quarterback rating in the regular season. That's pure dominance.

Returning every cornerback from last season, the Patriots corners look the part so far in training camp. On [...]

FOXBORO – The Patriots secondary was among the NFL’s best in 2019. Led by Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, this group led the way for the Pats last season. The team allowed just 180.4 passing yards per game last year, which was second best in the NFL. They allowed league-low 62.8 quarterback rating in the regular season. That's pure dominance.

Returning every cornerback from last season, the Patriots corners look the part so far in training camp. On Wednesday, the defense finished with four interceptions. J.C. Jackson nabbed his first of camp and didn’t mince his words when asked about the cornerback depth.

"Scary," Jackson said. "It’s a scary sight, man."

NFL offenses would probably agree.

Gilmore is coming off the most dominant season that we’ve seen from a cornerback in a long time. Although he grabbed the accolades, Jackson had a solid sophomore season. After finishing with three interceptions and nine passes defensed as a rookie, Jackson finished 2019 with five interceptions and 10 passes defensed.

According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson allowed catches on just 49.6% of the passes thrown his way. That was the best mark in the NFL. He also did that while mainly coming off the bench behind Jason McCourty, who also returns.

"Every year is a new year. 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."

Along with Gilmore, Jackson and McCourty, the Pats also have cornerbacks Jonathan Jones, Joejuan Williams, Michael Jackson, Justin Bethel, D’Angelo Ross and Myles Bryant. Whether or not the group plays at a level that’s ‘scary’ remains to be seen, but the cornerback room is certainly the deepest position in New England.

mdaniels@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @MarkDanielsPJ