The Cincinnati Bengals think they have something special in cornerback William Jackson.
So does somebody on the field who would know: Tyler Boyd.
Boyd didn’t mince words when asked about the cornerback he faces in practice every day.
“To me he has the tangibles to be the best corner in the league,” Boyd said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “This year will be that year. I know they see big things in him. We all do. That’s why they picked up his option. As long as he learns just one scheme and doesn’t have to keep learning different things, he’s going to be a shut-down corner in the next couple of years.”
It is hard to find fault with Boyd’s assessment of the situation. The Bengals just wrapped up Jackson on a fifth-year option and rest assured they have a long-term eye on keeping him in town.
Jackson was one of the NFL’s best in 2017 before a regression last year. But keep in mind factors like new looks from a defensive coordinator who got fired in the middle of the season and the fact he played through multiple injuries.
Now healthy and presumably back in a scheme better suited for his skill set, Jackson can get back to reaching for this rare status. And he’ll keep Boyd on his toes too considering the budding star receiver is heading into a contract year and looking to be at his best.
If both guys are living up to expectations, the Bengals will be in a good place to start the Zac Taylor era.
