This Could Be Chad Jackson's Last Chance to Make an Impression in New England - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

This was all a consequence of the Patriots underestimating Deion Branch's willingness to hold out after David Givens signed a too-rich-for-their blood contract with the Titans during the 2006 offseason.

In April of '06, New England traded up in the second round to take Chad Jackson, the second receiver drafted behind Santonio Holmes. Their proximity on the draft board is where the similarities end for these two players. Holmes has emerged as one of the best young wideouts in the league, and Jackson has split time rehabbing various ailments and watching games from the sidelines in his civvies.

Some of that has to do with adding Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte' Stallworth a season ago, but for Jackson, Year 3 could be make or break.

"It's an important year for me. This is what they drafted me for," Jackson said yesterday following the second day of passing camp. "I'm going to go out there, show the coaches what I can do, and show the fans what I can do. I'm going to help this team any way I can.

"How can you not (look at it as an opportunity). Donte's gone. There's a big spot open, like everyone's saying. Hopefully I can work hard, learn my playbook, and do what I need to do to get that spot."

Jackson's saying all the right things, but he has a couple things working against him. For starters, he may have been overdrafted; the '06 wide receivers crop was one of the worst in recent memory, and Jackson skyrocketed up draft boards only after running a 4.3-forty at the NFL Combine. Second, he played collegiately at the University of Florida. A fine football school, no doubt, but not an institution known for producing semi-competent NFL receivers.

Prior to Jackson, such illustrious names as Taylor Jacobs, Jabar Gaffney, Reche Caldwell, Travis Taylor and Darrell Jackson were all (pre-2007) first-day draft picks. And all have been mediocre at best. Jackson's got some work to do to avoid adding his name to that distinguished list.