2012 NFL Free Agents: DeSean Jackson's Immense Value Goes Beyond the Stat Sheet

DeSean Jackson is an extremely valuable commodity and, if he does hit free agency, deserves to make a nice chunk of change.

Even if popular wisdom suggests the opposite is true.

The first knock against DeSean Jackson's worth will be the numbers he posted at the wide receiver position this year. His 58 catches for 961 yards and only four touchdowns were a disappointment and aren't the sort of numbers that big-time receivers post.

But, Jackson's value can't just be felt on the stat sheet. Because he is such a threat to beat a defense deep down the field, many teams have to account for his speed by playing one or two safeties over the top in coverage.

That extra attention toward his game-breaking ability creates favorable match-ups for other receivers and opens up the middle of the field for a team's tight end. That was often the case for the Eagles. Their opponents would play two safeties over the top in coverage and Brent Celek would take advantage of linebackers in coverage.

In the one game Jackson missed this year, against the Arizona Cardinals and due to a suspension, the Eagles only mustered 128 passing yards and 17 points in the game. Now, it obviously didn't help that Vick broke two ribs early in that game and continued playing, but, the Cardinals were also much less concerned about being beaten deep and adjusted their coverage accordingly.

Of course, the suspension can't and won't be ignored, nor will Jackson's behavior and effort from last year. It might be why the Eagles and Jackson continue to evaluate his value so differently. From Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News:

"

Owner Jeff Lurie said earlier this month that the Eagles would welcome the wide receiver back, "if the right terms develop." But league sources said Jackson's opinion of his worth continues to be night-and-day different from the Eagles'.

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To his credit, Jackson increased his effort in the latter stages of the year and apologized for his behavior.

He also had to watch the Eagles sign countless free agents last year but decide not to offer him—the team's most electric playmaker before LeSean McCoy's emergence this year—an extension.

Teams might also devalue the young receiver's worth because the market could potentially be flooded at the position this year, with players such as Wes Welker, Vincent Jackson, Dwayne Bowe, Marques Colston and Reggie Wayne, among others, set to hit free agency.

I would argue that the one advantage Jackson has over all of those players is that he not only puts up his own numbers but also improves the numbers of the other receivers who play with him.

That's why I don't believe the Eagles will let him go and why I think he's worth a decent chunk of change on the market if he does leave Philadelphia.

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