Jackson even has sufficient spatial awareness to operate in zone coverage; conversely, he has the requisite movement skills to handle man responsibilities underneath. Consistently wraps up and finishes tackles in the backfield. An relentless edge defender with impressive physical traits, USC's Drake Jackson enters the 2022 NFL draft as one of the more intriguing edge defenders in a deep class. Im predicting that Drake Jackson will run a 4.62 40 time in the 2022 NFL Combine. Currently, he sits as the 61st overall player on the Pro Football Network Top 300 Big Board. It was difficult to fully appreciate it at the combine since Jackson didnt participate in much, but USC clocked him at a 4.5 40-yard dash following Jacksons sophomore year. Hand usage needs work. Ben Liebenberg/AP Photos. Moments of above-average upper-body strength. The star center earned an invite to the Senior Bowl and received positive reviews playing against draft competition and fighting through a groin injury. However, I do believe that hell be the fourth-best edge as we approach the end of April. This January scouting profile joins others in emphasizing his distinct lack of grown man strength, and how much he has []. For more on Pickens, check out our scouting report on him. One of the nations top pass rushers, Drake Jackson is an immediate starter with elite upside at 4-3 defensive end and 3-4 outside linebacker. His hand usage is aggressive, which allows him to drive back offensive linemen or win on a regular-basis on the outside. For that reason, Drake Jacksons 2020 campaign established him as one of the top players in the nation. Nov 14, 2022 Nikko Buenavidez. While his draft stock has fallen off a bit nationally, I still believe that he possesses elite traits that will really come alive at the NFL Combine. Hell need to become more consistent and develop an even wider array of moves and counters to reach his full potential at the next level, and his coaches should be eager to help him get there. Drake Jackson To 49ers - Scout's Take And Inside Scouting ReportCHECK OUT THE HABERMAN & MIDDLEKAUFF PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS https://podcasts.apple.com/us/. Decent first step, above average for the NFL. Jackson backed this up in the explosion drills at the combine - the only drills he participated in - where he finished seventh in the vertical jump and third in the broad jump among EDGEs. He's a player who once received top-10 hype; however, his stock declined mightily over the season while others rose. These issues could result in a limited role early in his NFL career. Cowboys draft 2023: Edge rusher Nolan Smith prospect profile. Jackson further upped his performance in 2021 logging 6 sacks and 17 QB hurries while playing on 414 snaps Scouting Report: Strengths Fantastic closing speed timed at 4.5 secs in the forty - with long arms to drag down quarterbacks and running backs. While others have ascended, the USC OLB has fallen down the pecking order. Perhaps the writing's been on the wall since his breakout season as a true freshman. Here's a scouting report and final grade for 2022 NFL Draft prospect Drake Jackson. Analysis: Jackson is an instinctive, disciplined defensive front-seven prospect with a variety of skills. Having entered the season with a high level of expectation, Jackson has gotten lost in a deeply talented EDGE class. On film, Jackson has tremendous quickness off the line of scrimmage to beat offensive linemen out of their stances. His speed to get into the backfield and chase down the opposing quarterback is one of the best elements of his game. USC DE Drake Jackson joins. Moreover, the star defender must learn to capitalize on soft shoulders when offensive linemen present them. Looks like he could put more on his frame. Even when he plays at a heavier weight, Jackson has that versatility, and he showed up to USC's Pro Day at 273 pounds and had a good workout. Hell need to develop some strength to be impactful at the next level. The Cowboys EVP spoke on Tuesday out in Indianapolis. Gaffney's 5 Best Available for Day 2. This January scouting profile ends with a typically solid Round 2 grade. POSITION: Defensive End. Hell be well served in adding back the pounds he recently shed (weighing 275 his freshman year), and transitioning to a full time defensive end in a 4-3 or a 3-4 system. Blazing speed; builds up speed in his rush. Fantastic closing speed timed at 4.5 secs in the forty - with long arms to drag down quarterbacks and running backs. A player whose weaknesses are primarily a product of a new playing weight, a new role and a new defensive coordinator in 2020, Drake Jackson is an immediate starter with elite upside at defensive end and outside linebacker. The draft guide also includes three-year grades, advanced stats, player comparisons, 2022 NFL Scouting Combine data, 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl grades and much more. UCLA vs Arizona Scouting. Drake London USC #15 Junior Moorpark, CA 6'5" 210. The comparison in relative athletic scores between Jackson and Khalil Mack offers a great idea of the kind of athlete Jackson is. As always, you can find us on Facebook , Twitter, and Instagram. #99Pos: 3-4 OLBHt: 6035Wt: 254Hand: 1018Arm: 3400Wing: N/A40: N/ABench: N/A3-Cone: N/AShuttle: N/AVert: 36.5Broad: 1007DOB: 4/12/01Eligible: 2022Corona, CACentennial High School. The USC OLB was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week following a performance against Washington State where he forced a fumble that the Trojans recovered for a touchdown. With a 6-foot-4 frame and the athleticism to be a threat at all levels of the field, London has a tantalizing skill set. The draft is scheduled to be held in the plaza outside of Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 27-29, 2023. His weaknesses are primarily a product of his weight, new role and new defensive coordinator. After that, there is a group of players who have a realistic shot of being the next pass rusher off the board. Can drop hips and get low, as well as widen out with flexible ankles. Similar athletes although I think Jackson is a hair shorter, a bit thicker, and just a bit less athletic overall. He posted excellent vertical (36.5) and broad (107) jumps. USC's Drake London has the potential to be that player this year. He has great length for a 63 EDGE and he pairs that with a ton of burst and speed off of the snap. Burst: Jackson has incredible burst, and his explosive first step has probably been more responsible for his pass rush wins than any other trait. Does a fine job of getting downfield to make tackles. Good lateral agility. His hand-to-hand combat needs improvement. 77. Hes great at cutting back inside on stretch plays, and sliding past reach blocks and grasps to cut off gaps. (%*), Drafted: ROUND: 2 - Pick Number: 61 (SF), (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance), SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. We think Jackson is a high-upside developmental prospect who has value in the second/third round range. Odds & lines subject to change. Drake Jackson Draft Profile. Further, Jacksons playstyle has not changed to accompany his 20-pound weight drop. Balance is above average but leaves room for improvement. 2 out of the gate while he works on adding strength and nuance to his game. Currently, hes excellent at pursuing in space. All Rights Reserved. When hes lined up inside the defensive line, his stunts have a wide arc, putting him behind the eight ball when penetrating the pocket. . He also tallied a tackle for loss in over half of his 11 appearances. Hand Technique: Jackson is very active with his hands and he makes good use of his ideal length, often getting full extension of his 34 arms to create separation between him and the opposing lineman. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In some respects, several of those elements that made him such a highly valued prospect back in the summer still hold firm. However, theres plenty of depth at the position for NFL front offices to sink their teeth into. The San Francisco 49ers went linebacker with their first pick this year, selecting Drake Jackson with the 61st pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.He played three seasons with the USC Trojans and played plenty of snaps at both defensive end and outside linebacker. To finish off the athletic upside element of his scouting report, Jackson displays explosiveness in his first step. He has the length to be disruptive at the point of attack, but he doesnt currently have a ton of weapons in his armory. Feb 28, 2023 at 01:36 PM. He was awarded second-team All-Pac 12 honors at years end behind just Keyvon Thibodeaux. April 11, 2022, 2:15 PM USC EDGE Drake Jackson 6-foot-3 265 pounds Yahoo Sports' 2022 NFL draft grade 5.69 possible second-rounder; starter potential TL;DR scouting report A 4-star. There is a lot to like about Jacksons overall game but he is a very unrefined prospect at this point in his evaluation. Download 2021 NFL Draft Guide In 2021, Addison was the nation's best receiver, with 100 balls for nearly 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns. Struggles to maintain his rushing path through contact. Toronto, ON. The question is, can he realize that potential? Doesnt have a plan when he goes into a rep. Placement is not great. With a likely draft pick coming somewhere on the second day of the draft, Jackson offers huge upside at a relatively low cost. As a result, he was expected to challenge Kayvon Thibodeaux at the top of the edge class in the 2022 NFL Draft. He wont achieve that first-round hype from the summer, but it would be a surprise to see Jackson slide past the late second-round range in the 2022 NFL Draft. While he didnt run a 40-yard dash time at either the NFL Combine or USC Pro Day, Jackson reportedly was timed at 4.5 seconds during his Trojans career, which is decent for his size. Jacksons all-around skill set gives him the versatility to play 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end at the next level. Jackson lined up as both a defensive end and outside linebacker in the Trojans defense. In 2019, Drake Jackson missed two games after suffering an injury to his left foot that left him in a walking boot. Additionally, he could improve his handwork to be more of a threat in the ground game. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. At a time when NFL teams will bank on athletic upside and the ability to coach up the rest, the USC OLB has an excellent base to work with. Purdue's George Karlaftis went at the end of Round 1 a year ago, and USC's Drake Jackson went a round later; both players were high-upside prospects who exceeded expectations as rookies. Photo Credit: john McGillen/USC Athletics, 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: USC EDGE Drake Jackson, 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Liberty QB Malik Willis, 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Texas A&M IOL Kenyon Green, Tyjae Spears Prepared To Show Out At 2023 NFL Combine, Jalin Hyatt Poised For Top Performance At 2023 NFL Combine, 2023 NFL Draft: Quarterback Position Rankings Pre-Combine, 2023 NFL Draft: Most Likely Landing Spots For Free Agency Quarterbacks, Eric Bieniemy And Commanders Should Focus On QB This Offseason, 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ohio State OT Dawand Jones, Excellent Quickness And Agility Off The Line Of Scrimmage, Possesses Some Of The Best Body Lean And Bend In This Class, Fantastic Timing With His Hands To Stun Offensive Linemen, Fails To Incorporate Spins And Twists Into Repertoire, Can Struggle With Change Of Direction In Coverage, Adequate Speed And Quickness To Attack Ball Carriers On Outside Runs. He has excellent height and solid weight for the linebacker position, but would be considered underweight as a defensive end. 17 min read. Weight: 254 lbs As a three-year starter for the Trojans, Jackson was deployed almost exclusively on the edge, both as a stand-up player and with his hand in the ground. Needs to expand pass-rush arsenal. Reacts well to draw plays and misdirection, sniffs out screens to his side of the field. Continue with Recommended Cookies. USC even dropped him into coverage out of wider alignments from time to time. - Drake Jackson is a 6-3, 269-pound Weak-Side Defensive End from Corona, CA. 40-yard Dash: N/A Bench Press: N/A Vertical Jump: N/A Broad Jump: N/A 3-Cone Drill: N/A 20-Yard Shuttle: N/A Career: 2021 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and Team MVP. While there is plenty of athletic upside and things to love with Jackson ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, there are some clear concerns that are impacting his stock. Flashes closing speed and agility to reach passers from the blind side or up the middle before they can escape. Here is where USC's top prospects stand ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine USC linebacker Drake Jackson sacks Colorado quarterback Brendon Lewis on Oct. 2 in Boulder, Colo. Jackson has. Oct. 1, 2021 4 AM PT. If Jackson can capitalize on his potential and reach his considerably high ceiling, he could become a dominant edge rusher and arguably end up the best at his position in this class. - Named The Press-Enterprise's Defensive Player of the Year and 2018 All-Big VIII League Co-MVP. Drake Jackson Scouting Report 2022 NFL Draft. For me, watching what Jackson did next for the Trojans, it hurt even more. Jackson is also an impressive lateral athlete. He flashes a strong initial punch, but whenever that fails him, he is regularly pushed off his spot. He looked more comfortable the wider his alignment was, particularly as a pass-rusher. Moreover, the California native has impressive power and leg drive. A detail of the NFL Scouting Combine logo at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March . Shoots like a rocket off the line of scrimmage, giving offensive tackles little time to react. Simply put, USC didnt do any favors for Jackson during his time in Los Angeles. Drake Jackson 40 Time Duke, the lone ACC program to sign a top-10 . Jackson lacks any real counters but he will occasionally use his athleticism to dip and dart his way through the interior of the offensive line. Intangibles: Jackson doesnt always play with the same tenacity every play, although its hard to know how much of that is due to his below-average strength. 5 FUM. - Named The Press-Enterprise's Defensive Player of the Year and 2018 All-Big VIII League Co-MVP. As an edge rusher, he plays both defensive end and outside linebacker, although I believe that defensive end is a more natural position for him. He often initiates contact with active, refined and accurate hands; further, he exhibits a varied pass-rush arsenal. 61 overall pick.
Jackson needs to get better at using his pass rush moves and cycling between them, for one. He possesses good speed with size (6-foot-4, 250 pounds). Good foot quickness and agility. Those are already impressive numbers, let alone for a true freshman. - Drake Jackson is a 6-3, 269-pound Weak-Side Defensive End from Corona, CA. Jackson explodes out of his stance as a pass-rusher and follows that up with good acceleration in his next few steps. The talented pass rusher boasts special lateral agility and change of direction ability. Obviously, Jackson isnt as polished as Mack was coming out, but the athletic profiles are very similar. In many ways, he reminds me of a better version of former Trojan Devon Kennard, an eight-year veteran now playing with the Cardinals. However, as Jacksons scouting report indicates, the former DE-turned-OLB has the athletic upside and pass-rush weapons to be an impactful player in the NFL. He was a second-team All-Pac-12 pick as an 18-year-old . Copyright 2020 Newsup. Jackson has significantly bulked since we saw him on the field, and he projects as a threatening outside speed rusher at the NFL level. Furthermore, the presence of Dan Quinn would allow Jackson to be directly mentored by one of the best. Jackson was an immediate contributor at USC. Over the last three years, he tailled up 12.5 sacks (including a pandemic-shortened season), as well as 25 tackles for a loss. The latest ESPN mock draft for the Cowboys just doesnt sit right. As noted earlier, Jackson should take advantage of his pass rush arsenal more often, as his athleticism gives him clear upside on finesse moves. In fact, Jackson was named to the 2020 All-Pac-12 second team, AP All-Pac-12 second team and Phil Steele All-Pac-12 second team for his second season. Decently explosive. With this combination of explosiveness, speed, and lateral agility, the USC OLB can pose a dangerous pass-rush threat. Motor is average. 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