2020 NFL Draft Scouting Report

December 13, 2019 1:00 PM EST

Evaluated by: Mike Diffin
mwdiffin@gmail.com
December 13, 2019

Prospect Overview

Junior who has appeared in 26 games, starting 12 of them. Big, prototypical NFL Tackle size at 6'6 310lbs with good build with thick lower body to anchor, and long arms. Good character guy who has a story on his selfless act when he gave bone marrow to his sister who suffers from a disease that causes bone marrow to stop making red blood cells.

Positives

Raw, but good technique given his lack of starts. Initiates contact in both pass and run when he gets his hands up. Doesn't over-power opponents but has a good ability to just get the job done and does a good job of staying control and keeping his technique. Good athleticism; gets out of his stance quickly, keeps a wide base and takes good angles to drive rushers out of the play against less physical EDGE rushers. Protects against counter moves by attacking inside shoulder and gets his head across the defender's chest. Does a good job in the run and pass game coming out of his stance into a 45-degree angle to create lanes and work well in their quick passing scheme. Good feel for stunts and twists for players lined up on the LOS and stays patient before committing to help in the B gap.

Areas For Improvement

Needs to be more physical at the POA; too much hand fighting when he needs to control the defender and ride him out of his pursuit angle. Pad level becomes an issue against more athletic EDGE rushers. Comes out of his stance upright and can't play with leverage. Allows defender to swat the hands and dip and bend around the edge. Needs a better feel for blitzers; tends to get too focused on his pre-snap assignment and leaves a free rush for late blitzers that play off the LOS.

When he does give help through the B gap, he needs to ride that block a little longer. Like I mentioned, he isn't an over-powering guy, so the chip blocks that he gives don't always throw a DL off course. Same goes for blocking on the EDGE in the run game; tends to throw the initial block, protect against the counter and not block till the whistle is blown. At times, the ball carrier hasn't even passed the LOS before he's done with his assignment and that defender makes the play for little to no gain.

Draft Stock/Player Comparison

Jackson is raw and unpolished however; he shows the potential to cement himself as a 1st round pick. Staying in school another year might bode well for him and allowing himself to gain more experience and put together better tape for a school that continues to put out NFL talent. Right now, he's a mid to late 2nd round pick that could be a draft-and-stash type player that needs some time to fine-tune everything and really develop, but given the right situation, Jackson could become a starting left or right tackle.

Scouting Video Courtesy of Mark Jarvis