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NFL Scouting Combine: 5 prospects with the most to prove in 2018

By Aaron Tan

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Wide receiver John Ross of Washington runs the 40-yard dash in an unofficial record time of 4.22 seconds during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Wide receiver John Ross of Washington runs the 40-yard dash in an unofficial record time of 4.22 seconds during day four of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 25: Donte Jackson #1 of the LSU Tigers catches a pass over Debione Renfro #29 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half at Tiger Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA – NOVEMBER 25: Donte Jackson #1 of the LSU Tigers catches a pass over Debione Renfro #29 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half at Tiger Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Cornerback Donte Jackson (LSU)

When you take a look at LSU’s Donte Jackson, you see an undersized cornerback who often gets lost in coverage. You see a guy who won’t make it past training camp.

However, you also see that elite speed Jackson has that can completely eliminate all the coverage woes that he possesses. It doesn’t matter if you get lost in coverage if you have the recovery speed to catch up to the receiver and put yourself in prime position to make a play on the ball while it’s floating in the air.

Wherever Jackson gets taken in the draft will almost solely rely on his 40-yard dash in the NFL Scouting Combine. He is projected to break John Ross’ record, and if he does, he can get taken off the board as soon as late in the first round.

I do not think Jackson is a good cornerback, based off of instincts and coverage skills, but the elite speed he has is so crucial to any defensive unit.