Chad Jackson

Jackson will provide depth at the wide receiver position, but does not figure to get on the field much, if at all.

Hamstring and groin injuries during his rookie year and then a torn ACL in a 2007 playoff game have made Jackson an afterthought. But the blazingly fast 6-1, 212- pound receiver, whom the Patriots traded up to the early second round to get, is still around. With Donte' Stallworth in Cleveland, Jackson could eventually push Jabar Gaffney for the No. 3 receiver job. And if anything were to happen to Randy Moss, Jackson could turn into the team's home-run threat.

Jackson has progressed well from a torn ACL sustained in the AFC Championship Game, but there's little need to rush him back with an infusion of depth at wideout. Look for him start the regular season on the PUP list. Still, his speedy recovery is a positive sign that Jackson -- a highly-touted second-rounder in 2006 -- will have a chance to make an impact down the line, though likely not until 2008.

At 6-1, 212, Jackson combines good size with excellent speed (he ran a 4.32 40 at the draft combine) and soft hands. Jackson’s a tough receiver, willing to make catches in traffic, and his long reach gives him an advantage on jump balls down the field or near the sideline. Jackson’s not a great route runner at this stage and isn’t sharp in and out of his breaks. Jackson also tended to disappear at times during his junior season and often dropped catchable balls due to lack of focus. Jackson finds himself in an ideal situation for a young wideout with weak competition for playing time (Reche Caldwell, Troy Brown, Bethel Johnson) and Tom Brady throwing him the ball. Jackson has impressed in minicamp, displaying his trademark speed and running improved routes, so he should have a decent chance to win the starting job opposite Deion Branch out of camp.