Former Alabama defensive back Kareem Jackson signs NFL contract

Veteran safety and Alabama product Kareem Jackson is re-signing with the Denver Broncos on a one-year deal. The 2022 season will be his fourth with the organization.

The 12-year veteran played his first eight seasons with the Houston Texans, where he was drafted with the 20th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. In 176 total games throughout his career as a perennial starter for the Texans and Broncos, Jackson has compiled 807 tackles, 28.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 20 interceptions, 104 pass deflections and 1 touchdown.

Before the league, the safety spent three seasons with the Crimson Tide from 2007-2009. He had 156 career tackles in college along with 5.0 interceptions and won the BCS National Championship during his final year with the program.

Jackson is expected to start for a Broncos defense that is rich in safeties, and lacking in cornerbacks. Coming off a season with 62 solo tackles, Jackson has no intentions on slowing down trying to impress other NFL teams, as his new deal comes to an end this time next offseason.

ESPN NFL experts reveal which former Alabama quarterbacks they would take

After decades of not sending a starting-caliber quarterback to the NFL, Alabama has been a factory for starting signal-callers over recent seasons. On ESPN’s Get Up, Mike Greenberg asked NFL experts Damien Woody, Dominique Foxworth and Dan Graziano which former Crimson Tide star they would take if they were starting a team — Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa or Jalen Hurts. 

“We’ve got Jalen Hurts, we’ve got Tua [Tagovailoa], we’ve got Mac Jones. All the Alabama quarterbacks, if you were picking one of them to start your team, absent everything else, which one you got?” asked Greenberg.

First, Woody chose the quarterback he’s gone to bat for numerous times over the last year.

“Mac Jones,” responded Woody, almost immediately — choosing the Patriots quarterback.

Then, Foxworth joked that he’d rather have Hurts’ offensive line than any of the quarterbacks. However, he made a pick after making the joke.

“I’m taking the Eagles offensive line,” joked Foxworth. “I’ll go with Tua.”

Finally, Graziano went the road less traveled, choosing the one of the three options who wasn’t a first round selection.

“I like Jalen Hurts,” revealed Graziano. “Think he’s done more than the others. I like him, I like everything about that kid.” 

It’ll be interesting to keep an eye on which Alabama quarterback has a better season. While Jones is just beginning his career, Tagovailoa and Hurts are playing for their jobs in 2022.