National Football League

Giants' Bennett Jackson working hard to make the transition to safety

Published May. 15, 2015 11:30 a.m. ET

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When the New York Giants drafted Bennett Jackson in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, they expected that he would compete for a roster spot at cornerback. Unfortunately Jackson's rookie season was nonexistent after a knee injury landed him on injured reserve. Now, the plan has changed for Jackson and the Giants. Although the Giants added two safeties in the 2015 NFL Draft, they plan to follow through on transitioning Jackson to safety for the 2015 season.

According to Dan Salomone of Giants.com, Jackson lined up alongside rookie second-round pick Landon Collins as the starting safety tandem at the Giants’ rookie mini-camp, which included 65 players ranging from the six-member draft class to rookie free agents and tryout prospects.

Everything is happening fast for Jackson who has no experience at safety up until now. However, Jackson does have the ball skills and athleticism that could translate nicely to his new role, and the Giants' depth chart at safety dictates that they must be ready to take a chance.

Jackson understands that the toughest part of this transition could be the mental aspect of learning a new position.

“At the end of the day, I am a [defensive back],” Jackson said to Giants.com. “I think my strengths are my cover skills. I have good speed and great ball skills. The thing that it is going to take for me to get out there and make an impact is I have to learn the defense and communicate the calls fluently. That is really the main thing with learning a new defense, you just have to be accountable and allow people to trust that you are going to be out there and get the job done.”

Jackson will have every opportunity to compete for a starting spot in 2015. Currently, the Giants' depth chart at safety features Jackson, Landon Collins, Mykkele Thompson, Nat Berhe and Cooper Taylor. The early favorite to lock up one spot is Collins, but he projects best as an in the box safety. Jackson could be competing with three other late-round draft picks from the past three seasons to lock down the starting free safety spot. Keep an eye on him as minicamp gets underway at the end of May.

(h/t New York Giants)

Photo Credit: Jim O'Connor/USA TODAY Sports