First in a series looking at players who could be targeted by the Broncos in free agency when the negotiating period begins Monday:

KAREEM JACKSON

Age: 30

Position: Cornerback/safety

Current team: Houston Texans

Experience: Nine years (a first-round pick in 2010). He has started 124 of 132 games and has regular season totals of 559 tackles, 16 interceptions, and six forced fumbles. Last year, he started all 16 games (cornerback/safety) and made a career-high 87 tackles and had two interceptions and 17 pass break-ups.

Case for: Jackson’s versatility is a perfect fit for the Broncos. He was moved to safety when Andre Hal was diagnosed with leukemia and back to cornerback last year because of injuries to Kevin Johnson and Aaron Colvin. Jackson can play against the slot receiver, which would allow Chris Harris to stay with a team’s No. 1 receiver if they line up exclusively outside. As a safety, the tape shows that Jackson is a sure open-field tackler whose experience means he has seen every wrinkle an offense can present.

Case against: Age is a concern for any cornerback who is north of age 30 in terms of how well they can run with elite receivers. And there’s a reason why the Texans signed Colvin last year in free agency to team with Johnson and Johnathan Joseph: they didn’t like some of Jackson’s 2017 tape. The Texans reportedly released Johnson on Tuesday, but that was likely to free up money for outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and a free agent offensive lineman.

Tape analysis (Texans at Broncos, Week 8 of 2018): If the Broncos end up signing Jackson, we can point to his performance in Houston’s 19-17 win at Mile High. Playing right cornerback but also shifting inside over the slot receiver in some situations, Jackson was terrific. … Playing all 66 snaps, the Denver Post charted him for 12 “factor” plays, including four tackles and two pass break-ups. … Played almost all “off” when in man coverage. … Showed great open-field tackling skills in the run game, twice leveling running back Phillip Lindsay in the first quarter. … Displayed good awareness on a bubble screen to receiver Emmanuel Sanders, making the tackle before left tackle Garett Bolles could make a block. … Tackled running back Devontae Booker at the line of scrimmage on a run blitz. … His two pass break-ups: Against receiver Courtland Sutton on a quick slant and via thunderous hit on Lindsay, who was running to the left flat. … Allowed two catches in coverage (both by Sanders). … Missed one tackle, on tight end Jeff Heuerman, when he showed poor technique and tried to launch himself into Heuerman.

Final take: Jackson would be an upgrade over Bradley Roby.