Miami Hurricanes Jacksons selected by Dallas in fifth round of NFL Draft

Miami Hurricanes players Michael Jackson and Joe Jackson were taken in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the fifth round to the Dallas Cowboys.

Michael Jackson was coveted by NFL teams for his length and versatility. Jackson is projected as being able to play cornerback or safety in the NFL. The 6’1, 200-pound cornerback had 42 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 2018. Jackson’s six pass breakups were second on the Miami Hurricanes.

The Dallas Cowboys are two deep at free safety and cornerback. They are currently three deep at strong safety. Joe Jackson faces more of an uphill climb. Dallas is three deep at defensive end. Veteran Randy Gregory is on his last chance with drug suspensions. Joe Jackson could have been drafted to replace Gregory.

The Jacksons join a Dallas defense that was solid against the pass in 2018. The Cowboys finished 13th in the NFL in pass defense in 2018. Dallas allowed 234.7 passing yards per game in 2018. The Cowboys were less productive rushing the passer in 2018. Dallas finished 16th in the NFL with 39 sacks.

Joe Jackson will help the Cowboys pass rush. He is likely to be a situational pass rusher with Dallas if he makes the roster. Jackson finished his career with the Miami Hurricanes with 22.5 sacks. That is seventh all-time in program history. Jackson was on pace to finish third in Miami history with 30 sacks.

Jackson led Miami in sacks in two of his three seasons. He finished second on the Hurricanes in sacks as a Sophomore in 2017. Leading the team in sacks as a true freshman in 2016 was an impressive accomplishment.

Michael Jackson is a player with a bright future ahead of him in the NFL. He should exceed his fifth-round selection in the NFL. ESPN praised Jackson in their analysis. Michael Jackson was the 20th pick of the fifth round, 158th overall.

"“Jackson is a press corner with good height, bulk, length and top-end speed. He’s long and physical but he’s also tight and lacks ideal foot speed. He tracks the ball well and flashes the ability to catch with his hands away from his frame.He’s a strong tackler who doesn’t shy away from contact and flashes the ability to get off blocks quickly.”"

Joe Jackson was selected by Dallas seven spots later. The Cowboys chose him with the 27th pick in the first round, 165th overall. Like his former and future teammate, ESPN likes Jackson’s size. Joe Jackson has proven he has the ability to be a playmaker.

"“Jackson has ideal size, above-average length and good closing speed for his size. He presses offensive tackles, locates the quarterback and flashes the ability to disengage in time to finish as a pass-rusher. He has the size and length to develop into a solid run-defender if he plays with better pad level.”"

The Jacksons head to a Cowboys organization with a lot of history with the Miami Hurricanes. It began with Michael Irvin being selected in the first round in 1988. Jimmy Johnson was hired to succeed Tom Landy a year later. Two years after that Russell Maryland was selected with the first pick of the 1991 NFL Draft.

With Irvin and Maryland anchoring the offense and defense, the Cowboys won three Super Bowls in the early 1990s. Johnson was the head coach for the first two of those. Joe and Michael Jackson join a young Cowboys team hoping to duplicate what Dallas accomplished nearly three decades ago.