Ravens Interested in Former Steelers CB

The Baltimore Ravens hosted former Steelers cornerback William Jackson III for a workout on Friday, according to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports.

Jackson was brought in via a trade with the Washington Commanders last fall, but struggled with a back injury that landed him on the injured reserve for the remainder of the campaign. The Ravens could look to land Jackson, who had a previous stint in the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals before heading to Washington. Pittsburgh released Jackson in March.

In 75 NFL games, Jackson has five interceptions, 205 tackles, six for a loss, one sack, and 51 passes defended. This season, he has 16 tackles, one for a loss, and two passes defended. His PFF grade is a career-worst 49.6 this season. Releasing him will save over $12 million on the cap, while there will be no dead cap hit for the Steelers.

A first-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2016, the 30-year-old Jackson has been a stalwart in NFL secondaries ever since. He started 48 games over four seasons with the Bengals from 2017-20. He signed with Washington as a free agent in 2021.

The Ravens have a young defensive back room led by Marlon Humphrey, and Jackson could be a veteran that brings some security and presence to the room alongside Humphrey.