Jackson also flashed his athletic upside across the NFL Combine and USC Pro Day, recording an 8.60 Relative Athletic Score. Nick Bosa. As a true freshman, he played at nearly 275 lbs but slimmed down to roughly 255 lbs by the time he was a junior in 2021 due to USC's change in defensive schemes. Good foot quickness and agility. 2 out of the gate while he works on adding strength and nuance to his game. He enters full-man engagement too willingly and fails to regularly use his lateral agility, jab steps and body language to force openings. This impacted his play, but Jackson finished on a strong note. 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. (%*), Drafted: ROUND: 2 - Pick Number: 61 (SF), (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance), SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. Another documented factor in Jackson choosing USC over ASU was the opportunity to contribute immediately. Drake Jackson (99) OLB - CAREER: In his career, he has 103 tackles, including 25 for losses (with 12.5 sacks), 4 deflections, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery. - Named The Press-Enterprise's Defensive Player of the Year and 2018 All-Big VIII League Co-MVP. Struggles to maintain his rushing path through contact. Jackson could stand to widen his base a bit and find more ways to play through blocks rather than around them. Hell likely be asked to add strength and fill out his frame a bit more, but Jackson shouldnt have a problem making that happen with an NFL-level strength department. The latest ESPN mock draft for the Cowboys just doesnt sit right. Finally, after delaying the announcement, he committed to USC, stating, I know Im going to be treated good there and know theyre going to make me the right man.. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine Do you agree they are better prospects than CJ Stroud, Bryce Young, Will Levis, Hendon Hooker and Anthony Richardson? - Drake Jackson is a 6-3, 269-pound Weak-Side Defensive End from Corona, CA. Brian is also the owner of the Infinity Sports Network, which NFL Draft Lounge belongs to. While he skipped the agility drills at the combine, Jackson did each of them at his pro day; his 4.28 short shuttle and 7.09 3-cone drill each wouldve placed in the 83rd percentile or higher at the combine. Speed is only one component of athleticism. Van Ness is in the same conversation, but could be the best of the bunch. Great length. Flashes of good flexibility. Thats his go-to move, but he also has an excellent spin move. Two words immediately spring to mind to describe Jackson's abilities on the football field athletic and versatile. Further, he does a great job of reading and diagnosing read-option plays, as well as attacking the ball carrier quickly and efficiently. If he develops a good speed-to-power move, its game over for opposing offensive tackles. Limits his ability as a pass rusher. 61 overall pick. In 2021, Addison was the nation's best receiver, with 100 balls for nearly 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns. Gives effort between the tackles to find the ball and is willing to take on linemen. In 2019, Drake Jackson missed two games after suffering an injury to his left foot that left him in a walking boot. Jackson finished his freshman year with 5.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss, both figures leading the team. Be sure to follow NFL Draft Lounge for more scouting report coverage, as well as more on Drake Jackson. To finish off the athletic upside element of his scouting report, Jackson displays explosiveness in his first step. Play-to-play consistency is there. With a likely draft pick coming somewhere on the second day of the draft, Jackson offers huge upside at a relatively low cost. : #SFvsLV on FOX : Stream on NFL+ bit.ly/3GkBa8r. Teams should be eager to get him in the building and try to take advantage of his clear upside and dynamic athleticism. However, if he could work to use his length to his advantage in disengaging from blockers, that would make him a more impactful run defender. NFL Draft analysis for Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC CBSSports.com 247Sports . But on the other hand, Jacksons ability to start as a true freshman and then not lose a step during a scheme change the following year is a testament to his overall processing. With excellent change-of-direction ability, he dances around the line of scrimmage and drops back into coverage fluidly when tasked with doing so. The 2023 NFL Draft will be the 88th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible players. Below-average lower-body strength and balance. Jackson became the first true freshman to start a USC season-opener on the defensive line since Everson Griffin in 2007 and was named a 247 freshman first-team All-American after finishing the season with 11.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and three pass defenses. ith their first selection of the 2022 NFL Draft, the 49ers took USC defensive end Drake Jackson with the No. 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. Was occasionally used as a coverage defender, both man and zone. Below-average play strength against the run. He currently struggles to read offensive tackles and can, consequently, employ ill-advised pass-rush moves. His body lean, bend, and dip to get around offensive tackles is some of the best in this draft class. 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 Rivals recruit (No. Ahead of his sophomore campaign, he lost 20 pounds due to illness. Jackson has significantly bulked since we saw him on the field, and he projects as a threatening outside speed rusher at the NFL level. 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. 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. His motor and relentless playing style is evident as his feet continue churning through contact, and hes constantly playing to the whistle. 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. Hes played out of multiple stances from multiple alignments during his USC career. Dropped 25 pounds since his freshman season. Jackson explodes out of his stance as a pass-rusher and follows that up with good acceleration in his next few steps. Jackson will not be an early contributor in the NFL but has a lot of pass-rushing upsides and could be a mid-round steal if a team is able to unlock the potential he flashed as a true freshman at USC. Although USC OLB Drake Jackson has seen his NFL Draft stock slide, his scouting report showcases some exceptional athletic upside. The pass rusher still plays like a 275-pound defensive end. With Dante Fowler, Chauncey Golston, and Dorance Armstrong already in town, Jackson wont need to play right away. The NFL invited 324 draft prospects to its scouting combine in 2022. Hes very intentional with his foot placement and has exceptional bend to get around tackles, which he pairs nicely with his top-end burst. Drake Jackson has a lot of upside just for his athletic ability. 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. Against the run, the Trojan standout has the strength to bench press, anchor down, fill space and fill. Has enough athleticism to drop in coverage and penetrate the pocket. As always, you can find us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). As noted earlier, Jackson should take advantage of his pass rush arsenal more often, as his athleticism gives him clear upside on finesse moves. UCLA vs USC Scouting Report. Raadpleeg ons privacybeleid en cookiebeleid voor meer informatie over hoe we uw gegevens gebruiken. Long, clunky strider as a pass-rusher. 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: EDGE Drake Jackson By Dylan Chappine February 9, 2022 Big Board ranking: #23 Positional ranking: #5 Overview Position: EDGE College: USC Class: Junior Age: 21 Measurables Height: 6'3 5/8" Weight: 254 lbs. Enter your email address to subscribe to NFL Sapient and receive notifications of new articles and analysis through your email. His hand usage improved in 2021 but needs to be developed more. After that, there is a group of players who have a realistic shot of being the next pass rusher off the board. Drake Jackson is flying under the radar, but that could benefit the Cowboys. While others have ascended, the USC OLB has fallen down the pecking order. A daily roundup of all your Dallas Cowboys news from Blogging The Boys, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Blogging The Boys, a Dallas Cowboys fan community, 2022 Cowboys scouting report: USC EDGE Drake Jackson, Mel Kiper Jr. mock draft: Cowboys take an offensive player at the wrong position. Height leaves him susceptible to cut blocks he must learn to defeat with his hands. While others have ascended, the USC OLB has fallen down the pecking order. That should entice teams. 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. Born and raised in Corona, California, Jacksons journey to the 2022 NFL Draft began at Centennial High School. Here he was three games into a campaign he . On film, Jackson has tremendous quickness off the line of scrimmage to beat offensive linemen out of their stances. 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. Meanwhile, his shuttle (4.28 seconds) and three-cone (7.09 seconds) were also impressive. 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. While the former four-star recruit has the traits to stack, window and replace, he rarely does so. 6 4 / 250 lbs. While straight-line speed doesnt always translate to play speed, Jackson has showcased excellent play speed throughout his USC career. 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. His weaknesses are primarily a product of his weight, new role and new defensive coordinator. 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. Five USC players have been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine: Drake London, Drake Jackson, Keaontay Ingram, Chris Steele, and Isaac Taylor-Stuart. He. Jackson is an explosive player off the line of scrimmage that is able to beat his opponents out of their stance quite regularly. 0:12. However, theres plenty of depth at the position for NFL front offices to sink their teeth into. The crazy thing about going to the Super Bowl is how short your offseason is. Needs more Leverage in his game. Hell need to add some muscle to keep from getting misdirected and tossed on the line. - Helped Corona. The talented pass rusher boasts special lateral agility and change of direction ability. He does well to chase players in space from the back side, though. Has nimble feet and good lateral movement - can operate in intermediate zone coverage and handle tight ends one on one. His release off the line, flexibility, and twitchiness are just incredible. Motor is average. Before National Signing Day, Jackson narrowed down his options to USC and Arizona State. Although his junior season may not have lived up to expectation, there is still significant NFL Draft interest in the USC OLB, with a reportedly high number of team visits during the pre-draft process. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 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. 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. Jackson is also very good at reducing inside when tackles beat him to the edge, although that didnt happen very often in college. 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. NFL Team News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumors, Position: EDGE He looked more comfortable the wider his alignment was, particularly as a pass-rusher. As signing day approached, Jackson was reportedly choosing between USC and my own alma mater, Arizona State. When Jackson has to change directions or move along the line of scrimmage, he just does it so smoothly. It is also important to remember he is still just 21 years old. Oct. 1, 2021 4 AM PT. Struggles to work through traffic and hold the perimeter. Drake Jackson Draft Profile. (59%*), 127 (C) We think Jackson is a high-upside developmental prospect who has value in the second/third round range. The NFL released the list of prospects invited to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday. As a run defender, the USC OLB repeatedly demonstrates impressive pursuit speed, whether close to the line of scrimmage or in space. During his 11 games as a starter in 2019, Jackson led the team in tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (5.5). Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) February. Keeps his eyes in the backfield when rushing the passer and uses hands and strength to stay in the play. Javon Kinlaw. The weight change and shift in scheme disrupted his growth in a key year from freshman to sophomore seasons, and the overall decisions made by a head coach and defensive coordinator who felt the heat on their seats weighed more towards trying to keep their jobs as opposed to developing their players. Hes also been impactful in all three phases of defense pass rush, run, and coverage. Moments of above-average upper-body strength. SCHOOL: USC. Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC. Go get paid.". Draft Scouting Report: Rating: 82.70 (Long-term starter) Pro Comparison: . An relentless edge defender with impressive physical traits, USCs Drake Jackson enters the 2022 NFL draft as one of the more intriguing edge defenders in a deep class. Download 2021 NFL Draft Guide 61 overall) in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Whereas this fails to materialize for some recruits . These issues could result in a limited role early in his NFL career. Whereas this fails to materialize for some recruits, he became the first true freshman to start a season opener for the Trojans since 2007. Still just turned 21 years old and will heavily benefit from a single scheme and proper NFL coaching, Experienced as a defensive end in both odd and even fronts, Twitched up athlete who is incredibly quick off the snap, Can beat tackles using his pure speed and ability to dip his shoulders and swim inside, Great ankle flexion allows him to bend the edge and change direction in the middle of the field when dropping into coverage, Has a good radar that allows him to keep an eye on the ball through contact, Can be overwhelmed by bigger tackles and badly needs to add play strength, No real counters in his arsenal even though he will throw the occasional spin move, Lack of a power rush despite his ideal frame and length, Takes very wide angles when adjusting to offensive line blocking schemes mid-play, Production has stagnated since arriving as a true freshman. Needs to expand pass-rush arsenal. The San Francisco 49ers selected USC defensive end Drake Jackson with the 29th pick (No. 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.
