Asa Jackson Has Edge For The Ravens’ Third Cornerback Spot

After recording an interception in the first half of the 2014 preseason opener, third-year cornerback Asa Jackson appears to have the edge to grab the third cornerback spot.

Assuming that Lardarius Webb will start on opening day, the battle at the number three spot is one to look out for in the three remaining preseason games. With Jackson in the lead, third-year corner Chykie Brown and veteran Dominique Franks are both looking to give him a run for his money. They have both performed well in camp and preseason, but Asa Jackson has performed above and beyond.

While Jackson made an impressive diving interception in Thursday night’s game against the 49ers, Chykie Brown did not have his best day. Brown was called for penalties on the very first two passes that were thrown his way.

"“I’m just going to keep going out there and try to make plays and just try to become the best player I can,” Jackson said of the competition with Brown. “It’s not a one-on-one game. It’s not me vs. anyone else’s game. It’s a team game.”"

I for one, still feel like everyone is underestimating Dominique Franks’ chances of grabbing this spot. Although his odds aren’t great, people are essentially ruling him out of the competition. Jackson has a total of three NFL games under his belt while Franks has played in 46 over the last three seasons. That has to count for something, right?

Brown also has far more playing time than Jackson, as he participated in all 16 games in each of the previous two seasons, recording 45 tackles in both seasons combined including ten in the Ravens’ 2012 Super Bowl run. However, Franks is the only one of the three that has recorded an interception in a regular season game, picking off three passes in his four-year career.

With all that being said, the one that has the best chance of getting the spot is a guy that has recorded three tackles in his career, was suspended eight games last year for violating the NFL drug policy, and was suspended four games in 2012 for using illegal performance enhancing drugs. But hey, clearly the coaches and team staff are seeing something that we’re not, because Jackson has looked impressive in training camp and in the first game of preseason action.