Patriots Aquire a Cornerback in Trade With Lions

The New England Patriots are serious about their first Brady-less season and they have added more depth to the deepest position unit. The Patriots signed cornerback Michael Jackson through a trade deal with the Detroit Lions. They are sending away a 2022 draft pick, probably a conditional seventh-rounder. That’s what the NFL’s transaction wire suggests.

Jackson is a fifth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2019. He hasn’t played a defensive snap in the NFL. The cornerback saw action in one game and played two special teams snaps for Detroit. The team signed him off the Cowboys’ practice squad last October.

Jackson played college football at Miami. He shared the locker room with Patriots undrafted rookie wide receiver Jeff Thomas. The cornerback was a two-year starter for the Hurricanes. He had four interceptions in his junior season in 2017. In his senior season in 2018, Jackson had six pass breakups.

The Patriots have a packed cornerback unit

The cornerback measures at 6 feet 1, 210 pounds. Getting a spot on Belichick’s roster won’t be that easy for him. The Patriots have a pretty solid cornerback unit and all six members have returned from 2019. This includes Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson, Jason McCourty, Jonathan Jones, Joejuan Williams and special teamer Justin Bethel. D’Angelo Ross and UDFA Myles Bryant are also here. So, no, it won’t be easy for Jackson to earn his spot.

Jackson signs with the Patriots and the team has four open spots on the 80-man roster. Players will have the first training camp practice for this Wednesday.

Head coach Bill Belichick will probably make a few expected moves in the next few weeks. Maybe he will surprise the Patriots nation with a couple of unexpected moves. No one thought that Belichick was after veteran quarterback Cam Newton and here he is, preparing for the big job in September. When it comes to Newton, Belichick will have to make a pick. Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer will make things difficult for Newton. Both quarterbacks were in line to replace Tom Brady. Newton is here, and the Patriots are ready for a different quarterback story.