Why Bills Re-Signing CB Dane Jackson Belongs on Offseason Agenda

The Buffalo Bills have two starting cornerbacks under contract for 2024, but an important piece of the defensive backfield is set to hit the free agent market.

Not every Day 3 draft pick is able to deliver 52 appearances, including 28 starts, and 28 passes defensed over the course of a rookie deal.

The Buffalo Bills uncovered a seventh-round hidden gem four years ago, drafting cornerback Dane Jackson out of Pittsburgh. Now, the spot starter is eligible for a second contract and the Bills are likely interested in giving him one.

Coming off Achilles surgery, and rumored to be a salary cap casualty, Tre'Davious White is an unknown at this point in time. Assuming Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford are the Bills' two starting corners, Jackson would act as a battled-tested backup. The 27-year-old defensive back, who has proven to be a perfect scheme fit for Bills' head coach Sean McDermott's defense, will likely earn a modest deal that's more than affordable for the cap-strapped Bills. Spotrac estimates Jackson's average annual value at $3.1 million.

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"He's been nothing but exceptional in his mindset, willing to contribute to in any role to the team," said McDermott in October, shortly after White suffered a Week 4 season-ending Achilles injury.

Jackson totaled six starts with White on the shelf but was bumped down the depth chart once the Bills acquired Douglas from the Packers at the trade deadline. It wasn't the first time Jackson was pressed into duty as an injury replacement. When White tore an ACL against New Orleans on Thanksgiving in 2021, Jackson stepped into the starting role for the remainder of the season.

With White still rehabbing on Injured Reserve, Jackson was a Week 1 starter in 2022 opposite Benford. He made 15 appearances (14 starts) that season, finishing with 12 passes defensed, two interceptions and one forced fumble.

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Since being selected No. 239 overall, Jackson, who made five appearances as a rookie in 2020, has been a useful piece on back end for the reigning four-time AFC East champions. He has participated in at least 15 games each of the past three seasons and has made 152 career tackles.