Let's start with the latter. The game ends, everybody celebrates or mourns, and next thing you know it's time for the Combine, free agency . Specifically, he sometimes plays high and shoots his hands late. NFL Draft analysis for Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC CBSSports.com 247Sports . 5 FUM. 77. Motor is average. 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. As noted earlier, Jackson should take advantage of his pass rush arsenal more often, as his athleticism gives him clear upside on finesse moves. His length, speed and moments of bend around the edge are enticing, but it's worth wondering if he can develop any other pass-rushing tools or hold up better against the run. https://draftwire.usatoday.com/lists/drake-jackson-scouting-report-2022-nfl-draft-usc-trojans-football/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. USC Trojans, EDGE, # 99 Drake Jackson Measurements. 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. His motor and relentless playing style is evident as his feet continue churning through contact, and hes constantly playing to the whistle. Today we look at a prospect that may not be getting enough attention in USCs Drake Jackson. Against the run, the Trojan standout has the strength to bench press, anchor down, fill space and fill. Once he does, hell be a much more natural fit in the trenches, as opposed to being the sort of tweener he is now. He excels with: Length, freaky burst/bend/dip combination Areas of concern: Hands are more active than they are effective, 2021 film featured spindly frame with lacking power. He has good agility behind the line of scrimmage to chase down ball carriers that are within range. The former top-150 recruit started 44 consecutive games to end his career and was an All-SEC selection in both 2019 and 2020. 37 Total Tackles, 8 Tackles for Loss, 5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Fumble Recovery, 1 Interception. Thats one reason why Jackson would be a great fit in Dallas. 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. 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. He was awarded second-team All-Pac 12 honors at years end behind just Keyvon Thibodeaux. All Rights Reserved. Jackson is a project. These issues could result in a limited role early in his NFL career. After that, there is a group of players who have a realistic shot of being the next pass rusher off the board. Has enough athleticism to drop in coverage and penetrate the pocket. For complex reasons, few draft profile writers want to write a sentence such as Spears had a mammoth 205-yard, four-touchdown game against USC in the Cotton Bowl , perhaps because it sounds like box . When tasked with being the primary edge-setter, Jackson just doesnt have the strength and technical refinement to get the job done. Lateral quickness is above average. Inconsistent as a tackler - not good when runners run directly at him, Could do with improving his technique as a pass rusher - he relies to much on athletic ability something he won't be able to do at the next level. By consistently lowering his pad level, the USC defender reduces blockable surface area and substantially improves his functional power. He will likely end up as an outside linebacker in an odd front. - Drake Jackson is a 6-3, 269-pound Weak-Side Defensive End from Corona, CA. Jackson can be an effective No. While the decrease in weight was simply a result of his having gotten sick and losing his appetite in the offseason, the talented pass rusher liked how he felt, looked and performed in his new frame. His weaknesses are primarily a product of his weight, new role and new defensive coordinator. Nov 21, 2022 Nikko Buenavidez. Furthermore, hes shown he can win as a pass rusher by shifting his pass-rush attack from the outside track to the interior in the blink of an eye. Here he was three games into a campaign he . To finish off the athletic upside element of his scouting report, Jackson displays explosiveness in his first step. . Denver could afford to bet on Jackson's upside. 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. Drawing attention with his athleticism and pass-rush production, Jackson was named the All-Big VIII League Defensive Lineman of the Year amongst multiple honors. Whereas this fails to materialize for some recruits . In this scouting report, well breakdown what makes Drake Jackson so special, and why we believe that hes a top prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. In run defense, Jackson needs to add some strength. In this scouting report, we'll breakdown what makes Drake Jackson so special, and why we believe that he's a top prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. Report: Snyder charged . Struggles even to get off of tight ends. U kunt op elk moment uw keuzes wijzigen door naar Uw privacy-instellingen te gaan. In 2018, the gifted pass rusher continued his impressive career. Despite this, its possible that NFL franchises could look at him as more of a hybrid rusher and use him at both positions. With excellent change-of-direction ability, he dances around the line of scrimmage and drops back into coverage fluidly when tasked with doing so. There are plenty of instances where Jackson gets to the quarterback solely because he gets off the line quicker than anyone else. Height: 64 | Weight: 250 lbs | Class: Junior, Games Watched: UCLA (2020), Arizona State (2020), Stanford (2021), Colorado (2021), Arizona (2021), Washington State (2021). Born on April 12th in Corona, California, Drake Jackson was a standout athlete at Centennial High School. Today we look at a prospect that may not be getting enough attention in USC's Drake Jackson. 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. 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. In his debut against Fresno State, the new USC DE impressed with 1.5 tackles for loss and 2 pass deflections. Doesnt have great upper body strength. Consistently wraps up and finishes tackles in the backfield. Although he projects as a true 3-4 OLB at the NFL level, Jackson has some versatility to his scouting report. 61 overall pick. SCHOOL: USC. USC only played six games in Jacksons sophomore season due to COVID-19, and Jackson was also adjusting to a new playing weight after shedding 20 pounds due to a drastically different scheme. Sign up for the The Draft Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Very good first step and acceleration. During his 2017 campaign, he amassed 28 tackles, 6 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Drake Jackson Scouting Report. Below-average lower-body strength and balance. 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. Heading into the 2021 season, many expected Jackson to compete with fellow Pac 12 EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux for the top pick in the draft. Height: 6'4 | Weight: 250 lbs | Class: Junior. 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. 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. Embed from Getty Images NAME: Drake Jackson. Oops. Gives effort between the tackles to find the ball and is willing to take on linemen. That obviously didnt happen; Jackson had a solid year but USC struggled all year, firing their head coach just two games in and then losing six of their last seven contests. Dallas Cowboys mailbag: Early draft questions for 2023. 0:12. Struggles to work through traffic and hold the perimeter. historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance). A native of Corona, California, Drake Jackson attended Centennial High School. Could the Chicago Bears Sneak Into the Playoffs This Year? 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 great at cutting back inside on stretch plays, and sliding past reach blocks and grasps to cut off gaps. #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. He was 245 or so pounds. Another documented factor in Jackson choosing USC over ASU was the opportunity to contribute immediately. Drake Jackson can, at times, rely too heavily on his quickness and agility. In 2018, he was named to the 2018 PrepStar All-American team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, All-CIF Division 1, Orange County Register Fab 15 first team, Los Angeles Times All-Area team and Riverside Press-Enterprise All-Area first team. Drake Jacksons story is a bit personal for me. The star center earned an invite to the Senior Bowl and received positive reviews playing against draft competition and fighting through a groin injury. 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. Statistically, this ended up being his best year, but the context matters. 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. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. If he develops a good speed-to-power move, its game over for opposing offensive tackles. Drake Maye: 45 total touchdowns, 5,019 yards of offense. Jackson wins solely with speed alone at this time. College: USC Class: Jr. He currently struggles to read offensive tackles and can, consequently, employ ill-advised pass-rush moves. There's also a "prose of the vague" tradition dating back to real NFL scouting which has become the literary style of the draft scouting report. While straight-line speed doesnt always translate to play speed, Jackson has showcased excellent play speed throughout his USC career. This impacted his play, but Jackson finished on a strong note. Manage Settings Flashes of good flexibility. Breaks down well, plays with proper pad level, and effectively uses his hands to protect himself. By Tony Pauline April 24, 2022 Jump around this article Click to show Run defense is dependent solely on his initial punch. Can work across the line of scrimmage quickly. Van Ness is in the same conversation, but could be the best of the bunch. Needs to work on diagnosing runs and reaction time. All Rights Reserved. Feb 28, 2023 at 01:36 PM. He does well to chase players in space from the back side, though. 2022 NFL Draft Guide Scouting profiles, advanced statistics, and grades for the 2022 draft class. Cowboys draft 2023: Edge rusher Nolan Smith prospect profile. Has a great set of pass rush moves in particular a spin move which when combined with his speed is almost impossible to defend for slower blockers, Is not just an edge threat - has pressured the quarterback multiple times from the inside, Versitile can play both outside linebacker and defensive end. As a run defender, Jackson has adequate burst and foot quickness to slide between traffic and close on the ball carrier. In the 11th hour, it seemed as if the Sun Devils had stolen him right out from USCs own backyard, but Jackson had a last-second change of heart and stayed close to home. Keep track of some of the best and most notable performances from the four days of on-field workouts in Indianapolis. Reacts well to draw plays and misdirection, sniffs out screens to his side of the field. There are some genuine concerns about Jacksons strength at this moment in his career. Decently explosive. All participants at the Scout Day Fires off the snap, can bend off the edge, and quickly closes to plays. When Jackson has to change directions or move along the line of scrimmage, he just does it so smoothly. Draft Scouting Report: Rating: 82.70 (Long-term starter) Pro Comparison: . As long as he develops more there, hell be just fine in the NFL. 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. Its my belief that Drake Jackson best fits as a defensive end in the NFL. Currently, hes listed as the third best edge rusher on our 2022 NFL Draft Top 200 Big Board. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Whereas this fails to materialize for some recruits, he became the first true freshman to start a season opener for the Trojans since 2007. Although USC OLB Drake Jackson has seen his NFL Draft stock slide, his scouting report showcases some exceptional athletic upside. He can get low and he flashed good flexibility, but his poor lower-body strength often allowed him to be knocked off his path. Continue with Recommended Cookies. CAREER BACKGROUND. NFL Scouting Combine 2022 tracker: Measurements, top individual performances from NFL Draft prospects . Draws consistent double teams and can still beat them too, Works primarily as a stand-up rusher but also puts his hand in the dirt. 49ers. During a senior year where he was named All-Big VIII League Co-MVP after racking up another 27 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and 6 pass deflections, Jackson visited USC, Arizona State, Oregon, Washington, and Illinois. Wins the corner in a hurry. Balance is above average but leaves room for improvement. 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. Drake Jackson 2022 NFL Draft Profile Jackson lined up as both a defensive end and outside linebacker in the Trojan's defense. With this combination of explosiveness, speed, and lateral agility, the USC OLB can pose a dangerous pass-rush threat. On film, Jackson has tremendous quickness off the line of scrimmage to beat offensive linemen out of their stances. Film study of a 2023 draft first-round prospect, Georgia edge Nolan Smith. He has great length for a 63 EDGE and he pairs that with a ton of burst and speed off of the snap. As mentioned above, Jackson needs to work on his pass-rush plan. He enters full-man engagement too willingly and fails to regularly use his lateral agility, jab steps and body language to force openings. . @The99Athlete. Jackson needs to get better at using his pass rush moves and cycling between them, for one. Whichever team selects Jackson needs to be aware that he will require a lot of coaching up. Builds to top speed but must take the right line to beat backs to the edge. Although he boasts a flexible frame, Jackson lacks consistent bend up the high side. Not much in the arsenal besides a basic rip-and-dip and a stab. Shoots like a rocket off the line of scrimmage, giving offensive tackles little time to react. 38. Drake Jackson 40 Time Footwork: Jackson is a very natural mover and his footwork is largely responsible for that. As a pass rusher, Jackson has the all-around athletic profile to threaten the outside and inside tracks. 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. In the regular-season finale against UCLA, Jackson received Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week merits after generating 5 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss. As a result, he was expected to challenge Kayvon Thibodeaux at the top of the edge class in the 2022 NFL Draft. There are games in which he looks like the best player on the field and others in which he is struggling all game to disengage from offensive tackles. 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. Every year banners go up around downtown Indianapolis with pictures of the draft class's biggest prospects ahead of the scouting . Tormented by the decision, he recorded two versions of his commitment video. Before National Signing Day, Jackson narrowed down his options to USC and Arizona State. Jackson is an explosive player off the line of scrimmage that is able to beat his opponents out of their stance quite regularly. Odds & lines subject to change. In his freshman year, he made the 2019 The Athletic Midseason Freshman All-American team, 2019 247Sports Freshman All-American first team, Pro Football Focus Freshman All-American second team, All-Pac-12 second team, AP All-Pac-12 second team and Phil Steele All-Pac-12 second team. Plays very well in the passing game. Furthermore, Jackson garnered second-team All-Pac-12 honors. However, there is a strong possibility that Jacksons untapped potential was a product of having to fit multiple defensive schemes and changing weights at USC. Jackson was a highly-rated prospect out of high school as he gets his NFL career going. He often initiates contact with active, refined and accurate hands; further, he exhibits a varied pass-rush arsenal. I was impressed with how he played in the passing game. He has game-breaking potential. Height: 63 His ability as a speed rusher is always apparent as he is able to turn straight ahead runs with good bend and ankle flexibility into immediate opportunities to get to the quarterback. 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. - Named The Press-Enterprise's Defensive Player of the Year and 2018 All-Big VIII League Co-MVP. He looked more comfortable the wider his alignment was, particularly as a pass-rusher. His size can be an issue in the run game, where bigger tackles are able to entirely remove him from the game pretty consistently. Long speed is a concern. Positives: Versatile defensive front-seven player who can come out of a three-point stance and stand over tackle. There were some flashes but for the most part, I didnt see much variability. From there, his ability to turn the corner is inconsistent. While he has shown he has great athleticism, his high-end plays simply do not come out enough. Javon Kinlaw. Good athlete, not great. 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. 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. Limits his ability as a pass rusher. He has a good ability to drive through offensive lineman and plug running lanes between the tackles. Decent first step, above average for the NFL. Ahead of his sophomore campaign, he lost 20 pounds due to illness. Needs to expand pass-rush arsenal. 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. Further, Jacksons playstyle has not changed to accompany his 20-pound weight drop. The comparison in relative athletic scores between Jackson and Khalil Mack offers a great idea of the kind of athlete Jackson is. 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's a player who once received top-10 hype; however, his stock declined mightily over the season while others rose. USC even dropped him into coverage out of wider alignments from time to time. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine Further, he does a great job of reading and diagnosing read-option plays, as well as attacking the ball carrier quickly and efficiently. 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. Drake Jackson To 49ers - Scout's Take And Inside Scouting ReportCHECK OUT THE HABERMAN & MIDDLEKAUFF PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS https://podcasts.apple.com/us/. In run defense, Jackson exhibits inconsistent play recognition and abandons his gap too often by penetrating early. Jackson has been successful in the past as an edge defender, and has the opportunity to get even better in the NFL. ith their first selection of the 2022 NFL Draft, the 49ers took USC defensive end Drake Jackson with the No. Furthermore, hes the 10th-ranked EDGE player on our board. 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. In 2020, Jackson proved he can succeed at this lighter weight. That wouldve been third among EDGEs at the combine this year. Struggles to maintain his rushing path through contact. Right now, Jackson is reliant on his speed and agility to avoid or minimize contact. The question is, can he realize that potential? 6 4 / 250 lbs. Can drop hips and get low, as well as widen out with flexible ankles. Burst: Jackson has incredible burst, and his explosive first step has probably been more responsible for his pass rush wins than any other trait. GRADE: 7.7 (Potential Impact Player - 2nd Round). He will find more value in a multiple-front defense because of his versatility, but hes a solid season away from making an impact on the field. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Covers a good amount of area on the field, shows ability in pursuit, and makes a lot of plays in space. newsletter, The Dallas Cowboys should pursue free agent LB Bobby Wagner. Moreover, the California native has impressive power and leg drive. Has nimble feet and good lateral movement - can operate in intermediate zone coverage and handle tight ends one on one. His length makes him disruptive, and hes demonstrated the ability to bend around the corner. The 2nd play of the 4th quarter is tipped and intercepted by. Weight: 254 lbs His drawbacks primarily revolve around his technique. Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC. 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. Stephen Jones talks Tony Pollard and franchise tag, Terence Steele recovery, Tyron Smith returning and more. Furthermore, the presence of Dan Quinn would allow Jackson to be directly mentored by one of the best. At the next level, hes best as a situational edge rusher who needs to build his strength back up and fine-tune his techniques in run support. Moreover, the star defender must learn to capitalize on soft shoulders when offensive linemen present them. 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. Seems to be a step late consistently. After making an impact in his sophomore year, the athletic defender broke out in his junior season. USC EDGE Drake Jackson Scouting Report. During his 11 games as a starter in 2019, Jackson led the team in tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (5.5). 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Drake Jackson. Meanwhile, his shuttle (4.28 seconds) and three-cone (7.09 seconds) were also impressive. Long, clunky strider as a pass-rusher. UCLA vs Arizona Scouting. He also tallied a tackle for loss in over half of his 11 appearances. The talented pass rusher boasts special lateral agility and change of direction ability. Vertical Jump: 36.5 Drake Jackson Scouting Report Having entered the season with a high level of expectation, Jackson has gotten lost in a deeply talented EDGE class. 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. Lacks the willingness to really be a great run defender. 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. A little bit clumsy with a good bit of wasted movement in his athleticism. With Dante Fowler, Chauncey Golston, and Dorance Armstrong already in town, Jackson wont need to play right away. The poor overall year for USC has distracted from what Jackson can be at the next level. Flashes closing speed and agility to reach passers from the blind side or up the middle before they can escape. It was a crushingly narrow recruiting loss for Arizona State. His performances earned him an honorable mention for the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. 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 USCs change in defensive schemes. . Stringing counter moves together will be vital for his development. 61 overall) in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Leading the team with 8 tackles for loss, including 5 sacks, Jackson earned second-team All-Pac-12 recognition. He played at 275 pounds early in his USC tenure; illness saw him lose a lot of weight. 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. As a run defender, the USC OLB repeatedly demonstrates impressive pursuit speed, whether close to the line of scrimmage or in space. Duke, the lone ACC program to sign a top-10 . Jackson played both as a 3-4 RUSH EDGE as well as a 4-3 defensive end.