[7][8] On January 9, 2018, Jackson released a statement on his Twitter account announcing his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility to enter the 2018 NFL Draft.

Jackson's 40-yard dash tied Tulane's Parry Nickerson and Ohio State's Denzel Ward for the best time among all players at the NFL Combine.

Head coach Ron Rivera named Jackson and James Bradberry the starting cornerback duo to begin the regular season.

[19] On September 9, 2018, Jackson started in his professional regular season debut and recorded five combined tackles (four solo) in the Panthers' 16–8 victory against the Dallas Cowboys in their home opener.

[25] In Week 10, he made five solo tackles and a season-high five pass deflections as the Panthers lost 16–24 to the Green Bay Packers.

[27] Jackson entered training camp slated as the primary starting cornerback after James Bradberry opted out for the season.

[31] He finished his sophomore season in 2020 with a total of 34 combined tackles (22 solo), 11 pass deflections, and three interceptions in 14 games and 13 starts.

Head coach Matt Rhule named Jackson and rookie first round pick Jaycee Horn the starting cornerback duo to kickoff the season, alongside safeties Jeremy Chinn and Juston Burris.

[32] On November 28, 2021, Jackson collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (ten solo) and made one pass deflection in a 10-33 loss at the Miami Dolphins.

On October 16, 2022, Jackson recorded two solo tackles, made one pass deflection, and returned an interception by Matthew Stafford for 30-yards, scoring his first career touchdown during the second quarter of a 10–24 loss at the Los Angeles Rams.

On November 10, 2022, Jackson made three combined tackles (two solo) and a pass deflection before suffering an injury during a 25–15 win against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10.

On November 14, 2022, the Carolina Panthers officially placed Jackson on season-ending injured reserve after it was discovered he sustained a torn Achilles tendon in Week 10.

[37] He finished the 2022 NFL season with 35 combined tackles (32 solo), three pass deflections, two interceptions, and a touchdown in nine games and nine starts.

[17][42] Head coach Mike Tomlin had reportedly been interested in drafting Jackson in 2018 and also attempted to have him acquired when he was a free agent in 2022.