Chargers News: How J.C. Jackson Trade Impacts LA's Cornerback Rotation
The first trade of the 2023 NFL season occurred on Wednesday morning, and your Los Angeles Chargers were at the forefront of it. LA sent away their high-paying cornerback J.C. Jackson back to where he started his career, the New England Patriots.
It was a move that surprised many around the league. It seemed like this was a long time coming as the two sides never seemed to mesh with each other. Nonetheless, people within the organization are there to pick up the pieces, including the current defensive back room.
This may not be anything new to them since Jackson missed most of 2022 and has missed the last two games. Still, it's permanent this time, and they'll need more out of the current guys.
Charger insider from the LA Times, Jeff Miller, provided us with who will be starting now that Jackson is gone.
"With Jackson gone, Michael Davis and Asante Samuel Jr. will continue to start at outside corner for the Chargers with Ja’Sir Taylor starting inside."
Samuel Jr. has been the best and most consistent corner for the Bolts, as he's recorded 19 solo tackles, one interception, and an overall grade of 78.8, according to PFF. The 24-year-old has a high IQ and can play multiple spots in the secondary if asked to.
As for Davis, he has 25 solo tackles, and even though he's not having the best of starts to the season, there is still room to improve.
These two will be heavily relied on to improve the 28th-ranked defense. However, it won't be on them alone to play great football; the other nine guys on the gridiron must click on all cylinders.
Davis and Samuel have the talent to mesh and make this secondary the best in the league alongside star safety Derwin James. All eyes will now be on the corners with no Jackson around anymore, and we'll see how this pans out.
