: #SFvsLV on FOX : Stream on NFL+ bit.ly/3GkBa8r. Jackson has a great athletic profile and some really positive traits to build on. However, Jackson badly needs to add playing strength and rarely looks like he has a pass-rushing plan other than using his athleticism and speed to beat offensive tackles. He enters full-man engagement too willingly and fails to regularly use his lateral agility, jab steps and body language to force openings. USC landed the crowned jewel of the 2023 class in five-star point guard Isaiah Collier, while Kentucky reeled in the most top-10 commitments with three. Leading the team with 8 tackles for loss, including 5 sacks, Jackson earned second-team All-Pac-12 recognition. Please check your email for a confirmation. newsletter, The Dallas Cowboys should pursue free agent LB Bobby Wagner. Drake Jackson 2021 season highlights. Shoots like a rocket off the line of scrimmage, giving offensive tackles little time to react. He's a player who once received top-10 hype; however, his stock declined mightily over the season while others rose. He currently struggles to read offensive tackles and can, consequently, employ ill-advised pass-rush moves. HEIGHT: 6'2" WEIGHT: 254 pounds. Analysis: Jackson is an instinctive, disciplined defensive front-seven prospect with a variety of skills. While the former four-star recruit has the traits to stack, window and replace, he rarely does so. Has good experience as a four-year starter. Flashes of good flexibility. With ties to Mike McCarthy, free agent CB Kevin King could be an option for the Cowboys. Jackson finished starting six of the Trojans 11 games in 2021 and finished the year racking up 8.0 tackles for loss, five sacks, and one interception. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. The USC OLB struggles to set the edge in the ground game. When talking about edge players in this year's upcoming draft, Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeuax is the first name that comes to mind. Jackson saw a considerable uptick in production as a junior. As a run defender, Jackson has adequate burst and foot quickness to slide between traffic and close on the ball carrier. Every year, the first round of the NFL draft features a handful of trades, as teams try to move up and down the board to maximize value and fill their . Drake Jackson Scouting Report Having entered the season with a high level of expectation, Jackson has gotten lost in a deeply talented EDGE class. Draft Scouting Report: Rating: 82.70 (Long-term starter) Pro Comparison: . Very good first step and acceleration. The star pass rusher has the length to manage distance and control the nature of engagement (half-man versus full-man). Hes played out of multiple stances from multiple alignments during his USC career. In 2019, Drake Jackson missed two games after suffering an injury to his left foot that left him in a walking boot. During his 11 games as a starter in 2019, Jackson led the team in tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (5.5). Despite the challenges presented by the 2020 college football season, Jackson was still one of the premier pass rushers in the sport. Jackson started for USC three years and left the Trojans with 103 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, two interceptions, two forced . However, hes still a fairly raw prospect who needs some refinement to make him an effective pass rusher. Film study of a 2023 draft first-round prospect, Georgia edge Nolan Smith. There are plenty of instances where Jackson gets to the quarterback solely because he gets off the line quicker than anyone else. by Themeansar, Combine Preliminary Report: EDGE Drake Jackson, USC, Combine Preliminary Report: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas, NFL Draft Big Board 'By Ranking' (Rounds 1 And 2, Before Free Agency) - Fitness Formula IT. 12 min read. Drake Jackson 2022 NFL Draft Profile Jackson lined up as both a defensive end and outside linebacker in the Trojan's defense. Brian is also the owner of the Infinity Sports Network, which NFL Draft Lounge belongs to. He was also awarded Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honorable mention. HT: 6040WT: 255WING: N/AARM: N/AHAND: N/ADOB: 4/12/2001, Year: Redshirt SophomoreHigh School: Centennial (Corona, CA)HS Rating: 4 star (0.9725)Phil Steele: PS#137. After making an impact in his sophomore year, the athletic defender broke out in his junior season. Jackson ended his sophomore year with second-team All-Pac-12 recognition for the second consecutive season. Seems to be a step late consistently. Name: Drake JacksonPosition: EDGEHeight: 62Weight: 254 pounds, Combine Results: 36.5 vertical jump, 127 broad jump. 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. Once he does, hell be a much more natural fit in the trenches, as opposed to being the sort of tweener he is now. We at NFL Draft Diamonds wanted to highlight our Official Big Board for [] Jackson wins solely with speed alone at this time. It's a good pitch to have, but that could be an issue if that's all he has, which is the case for now. Bryce Young's size makes him a risky bet, Anthony Richardson is tantalizing but scary, and a small number of players seem worthy of being first-round picks. Jackson is an ascending pass-rusher with the athletic tools and upside capable of making him one of the Packers' first four picks in the 2022 NFL draft. He has good agility behind the line of scrimmage to chase down ball carriers that are within range. 2022 NFL Draft: Kenneth Walker III Scouting Report. Jackson was an immediate contributor at USC. Since 2005, Prep Baseball Report's mission has been to provide the most credible scouting and event platform to help players and recruiters alike. Hes at his best as a 5-tech without a tight end, as he struggles to work through double teams tremendously. Needs to work on diagnosing runs and reaction time. Struggles to maintain his rushing path through contact. Specifically, he sometimes plays high and shoots his hands late. Hes adept at understanding both man and zone coverage he ensures his positioning is correct when tasked with dropping back into coverage. As Drake Jackson burst around the edge two Saturdays ago, that message echoed through his mind. Run Defense: This is easily Jacksons biggest weakness. Its my belief that Drake Jackson best fits as a defensive end in the NFL. Struggles to work through traffic and hold the perimeter. Although he projects as a true 3-4 OLB at the NFL level, Jackson has some versatility to his scouting report. A native of Corona, California, Drake Jackson attended Centennial High School. Perhaps the writing's been on the wall since his breakout season as a true freshman. Jackson needs to get better at using his pass rush moves and cycling between them, for one. All Rights Reserved. The crazy thing about going to the Super Bowl is how short your offseason is. Jackson looked to pack a more powerful punch in his freshman year, before he dropped weight, and doesnt seem to have done as good a job at converting speed to power in order to make up for that. Very good playing strength and has worked hard in the weight room, adding bulk and filling out his frame. Statistically, this ended up being his best year, but the context matters. He owns several pass-rush moves, including a killer spin move and an awe-inspiring ghost move. Will start to give up on a play if the ball doesnt end up near him initially. 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. USC 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports include Chris Steele and Drake London The USC scouting reports include some high-profile players who could sneak into Round 1 of the NFL Draft, plus some later-round prospects. Height: 6'4 | Weight: 250 lbs | Class: Junior. Jackson is also very good at reducing inside when tackles beat him to the edge, although that didnt happen very often in college. Drake Jackson has been a well-known name in this year's draft cycle. To stand out during a pandemic while adapting to a new playing weight, position and defensive coordinator is no easy feat. Hes flashed that at times and has the traits to do so. The latest ESPN mock draft for the Cowboys just doesnt sit right. Motor is average. USC's Drake London has the potential to be that player this year. With this combination of explosiveness, speed, and lateral agility, the USC OLB can pose a dangerous pass-rush threat. 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. Despite the slide down the class, Jackson still possesses an NFL Draft scouting report that offers many alluring attributes. Athletic, versatile, with some impressive pass-rush moves, Tony Paulines scouting report for Drake Jackson, the Pro Football Network Top 300 Big Board. He also tallied a tackle for loss in over half of his 11 appearances. His motor and relentless playing style is evident as his feet continue churning through contact, and hes constantly playing to the whistle. (59%*), 127 (C) While he has shown he has great athleticism, his high-end plays simply do not come out enough. Boston Colleges Jaiden Woodbey Is Less Tweener, More Swiss Army Knife, Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa | NFL Draft Scouting Report, Michael Jefferson, WR, Louisiana | NFL Draft Scouting Report, Las Vegas Raiders 2023 Draft Prospects To Target at NFL Combine Include Anthony Richardson, Dawand Jones, and Marvin Mims, NFL Mock Draft 2023: Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Rodgers, DeAndre Hopkins, and Daron Payne Trades Impact Round 1. Although he boasts a flexible frame, Jackson lacks consistent bend up the high side. Jackson took on a huge role right away, becoming USCs first true freshman to start a season opener in 12 years. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Whats more, Jackson has fluid hips and powerful bend to work through half-man engagement. Lacks the willingness to really be a great run defender. Drake Jackson (USC): 10'7" Jermaine Johnson . In many ways, he reminds me of a better version of former Trojan Devon Kennard, an eight-year veteran now playing with the Cardinals. Could the Chicago Bears Sneak Into the Playoffs This Year? Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State (Scouting Report) 3. Doesnt have a plan when he goes into a rep. Placement is not great. . 2 TD. [] the ground running. Meanwhile, he found additional ways to be disruptive with 3 pass deflections and a first career interception. ith their first selection of the 2022 NFL Draft, the 49ers took USC defensive end Drake Jackson with the No. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). After losing Randy Gregory in free agency, the Cowboys have a need at EDGE. Burst: Jackson has incredible burst, and his explosive first step has probably been more responsible for his pass rush wins than any other trait. 49ers select USC DE Drake Jackson with 1st pick in 2022 NFL draft Report: Jets trade offer for 49ers WR Deebo Samuel not impressive Play our FREE NFL Draft Day 2 Challenge Terrell Owens no. DE/OLB Drake Jackson, USC (Scouting Grade: C) 6'3"/255, 2020: 20 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 sacks (6g), Projected: 4.65 40-time, 7.0 3-cone. He was 245 or so pounds. Has enough athleticism to drop in coverage and penetrate the pocket. The Trojan star is difficult to touch when he employs head fakes, jab steps and body language to force an offensive lineman into false steps. His drawbacks primarily revolve around his technique. I was impressed with how he played in the passing game. There are some genuine concerns about Jacksons strength at this moment in his career. Covers a good amount of area on the field, shows ability in pursuit, and makes a lot of plays in space. From there, his ability to turn the corner is inconsistent. Jackson, who just turned 21 years old, produced 25.0 tackles for losses and 12.5 sacks over 28 games (26 starts) at USC. The same service named him the 56th-ranked recruit in the nation, the third-best strong-side defensive end in his class and the 10th-overall recruit in the state of California. Limits his ability as a pass rusher. He was admittedly in a weird spot with the head coach being on the hot seat each of Jacksons three years there, but Jackson nevertheless didnt blossom into a leader or strong locker room presence. While others have ascended, the USC OLB has fallen down the pecking order. Five USC players have been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine: Drake London, Drake Jackson, Keaontay Ingram, Chris Steele, and Isaac Taylor-Stuart. Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia (Scouting Report) 2. The five-man unit of left tackle Dion Dawkins, left guard Rodger Saffold, center Mitch Morse, right guard Ryan Bates, and right tackle Spencer Brown was underwhelming to say the least. Jackson even has sufficient spatial awareness to operate in zone coverage; conversely, he has the requisite movement skills to handle man responsibilities underneath. Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota . Thats one reason why Jackson would be a great fit in Dallas. There are times where he throws out a move or two and looks unstoppable, but Jackson doesnt keep that up long enough to become as dominant as hes clearly capable of. Doesnt use his hands much to beat blockers. One thought on "Combine Preliminary Report: EDGE Drake Jackson, USC" NFL Draft Big Board 'By Ranking' (Rounds 1 And 2, Before Free Agency) - Fitness Formula IT says: Additionally, he could improve his handwork to be more of a threat in the ground game. He has the length to be disruptive at the point of attack, but he doesnt currently have a ton of weapons in his armory. 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. Furthermore, Jackson garnered second-team All-Pac-12 honors. Ahead of his sophomore campaign, he lost 20 pounds due to illness. https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/drake-jackson-scouting-report-2022-nfl-draft-usc-trojans-football/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. As a run defender, the USC OLB repeatedly demonstrates impressive pursuit speed, whether close to the line of scrimmage or in space. 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