Dallas Cowboys NFL draft series: Cal wide receiver DeSean Jackson
Size: 5-9, 169
Combine 40-yard dash: 4.43
POSTIVES
Last year Ted Ginn was the electrifying receiver/return specialist to get drafted in the first round. This year it's Jackson. His 3,293 total yards are third-most in school history and holds the Pac 10 record with six punt returns for touchdowns, which was two shy of the NCAA record. With Devin Hester showing the importance of the return game, Jackson's versatility will help his cause. He has tremendous speed and can take a short pass the distance or run by defenders for the deep ball. While he is not the biggest, he is not afraid of contact and will make the tough catches.
COWBOY FIT
Even though owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he expects big things from Terry Glenn, who played in only one regular-season game last year because of two surgeries to his right knee, the Cowboys have to think of the future. His speed can be a perfect fit opposite Terrell Owens, and he can ignite a return game that needs help. Any receiver that comes in this year will benefit from not having to be the go-to guy this year with Owens, Glenn (possibly) and Patrick Crayton because there would not be the burden of expectations.
CAL HEAD COACH JEFF TEDFORD
"There's no question about his athleticism and the speed and quickness he brings to the game. He's a game changer whether that's as a wide receiver or on special teams returning punts. You look for guys who can maybe make one, two, three plays a game that can change an outcome. He can swing the momentum of a game with one play ... (His return ability) is a plus for him. I think DeSean has shown the ability to be a very good punt returner ... He's very quick off the ball, stopping and starting. He runs precise routes. Terrific hands. Tremendous body control. He can extend his body, take a hit and still make the catch. He's a hands catcher. He doesn't catch it with his body. He catches everything with his hands ... He's just blessed with (the ability to make catches in traffic) even though he is smaller. He has great hand-eye coordination ... I think there's going to be a transition (because of his size) when he gets to the next level. You see players excel with his body type. There are things you can do to help him get off the line of scrimmage ... You try to do things with motion and try to do things where they don't know where he'll be. Every week defensive coordinators came up with something special to contain him ... He's young but he's maturing. He's a good kid and will continue to grow ... Football is his life. I don't think there's any doubt about that. He's been focused on being a professional football player for a long time. I think he's finally there ... I don't know if he's a gym rat, but he's going to do what he needs to do to be prepared."
SCRAPBOOK
Jackson and Jerry Rice (ESPN.com)
DeSean Jackson is ready for his closeup (Sporting News)
Cal's Jackson stands apart from crowd (USA Today)
EVALUATIONS
NFL Draft Scout (NFL.com)
Scouts, Inc. (ESPN Insider)
LATE-ROUND LIKENESS
Dorien Bryant, Purdue
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