USC DE Drake Jackson joins. Its my belief that Drake Jackson best fits as a defensive end in the NFL. Furthermore, he has solid quickness to hold his own when asked to drop into coverage on passing downs. 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. Five USC players have been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine: Drake London, Drake Jackson, Keaontay Ingram, Chris Steele, and Isaac Taylor-Stuart. Good all-around athlete with very good short-area quickness and fluidity. All Rights Reserved. Cowboys draft 2023: Edge rusher Nolan Smith prospect profile. Not smooth dropping off the line into space. Struggles to work through traffic and hold the perimeter. There are some genuine concerns about Jacksons strength at this moment in his career. Drake Jackson takes center stage at NFL scouting combine Matt Zemek February 26, 2022 8:21 am PT USC was led the past few college football seasons by the two Drakes, but only one maxed out. Jackson was an immediate contributor at USC. Ben Liebenberg/AP Photos. USC EDGE Drake Jackson Scouting Report. Jackson, who just turned 21 years old, produced 25.0 tackles for losses and 12.5 sacks over 28 games (26 starts) at USC. After that, there is a group of players who have a realistic shot of being the next pass rusher off the board. While he is capable of playing outside linebacker, a position on the defensive line seems more natural for him. The now-255-pound athlete has been recorded to have run a 4.5-second 40-yard dash. While the former four-star recruit has the traits to stack, window and replace, he rarely does so. Oct. 1, 2021 4 AM PT. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The 2023 NFL Draft will be the 88th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible players. Drake Jackson has a lot of upside just for his athletic ability. 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. In run defense, Jackson needs to add some strength. His athleticism and pass-rushing prowess should have him off the board early on Day 2. Similar athletes although I think Jackson is a hair shorter, a bit thicker, and just a bit less athletic overall. Former basketball player who committed to play both sports at USC before focusing on . Jackson is also very good at reducing inside when tackles beat him to the edge, although that didnt happen very often in college. 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. As long as he develops more there, hell be just fine in the NFL. After his stellar high school career, Jackson was listed as a four-star recruit by 247Sports Composite Rankings. Jackson has significantly bulked since we saw him on the field, and he projects as a threatening outside speed rusher at the NFL level. 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. Drake Jackson is a three-year contributor for the University of Southern California Trojans. Simply put, USC didnt do any favors for Jackson during his time in Los Angeles. Jacksons lateral agility and athleticism offer promise to develop in this area, though. Tormented by the decision, he recorded two versions of his commitment video. The comparison in relative athletic scores between Jackson and Khalil Mack offers a great idea of the kind of athlete Jackson is. Klik op Instellingen beheren voor meer informatie en om uw keuzes te beheren. Tends to be much too aggressive with angles. He was 245 or so pounds. 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. Strength coaches should help get him to a more viable playing weight, and hopefully a more natural physical attack will come with that added strength. By consistently lowering his pad level, the USC defender reduces blockable surface area and substantially improves his functional power. Drake Jackson 2022 NFL Draft Profile Jackson lined up as both a defensive end and outside linebacker in the Trojan's defense. Both Maye and Williams are very good prospects, just look at what they did last year. Here is everything you. 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. 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. Jackson is also an unreliable tackler. Decent first step, above average for the NFL. 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. Toronto, ON. newsletter, The Dallas Cowboys should pursue free agent LB Bobby Wagner. He does well to chase players in space from the back side, though. As a run defender, Jackson has adequate burst and foot quickness to slide between traffic and close on the ball carrier. All participants at the Scout Day 61 overall) in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. 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. He posted excellent vertical (36.5) and broad (107) jumps. He is also great at tracking and chasing down the ball carrier in the run game. The 2nd play of the 4th quarter is tipped and intercepted by. 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 is adept at scraping laterally across the line of scrimmage to locate the ball carrier in the run game. Main Photo: Press Esc to cancel. He has excellent height and solid weight for the linebacker position, but would be considered underweight as a defensive end. Drake Jackson Scouting Report 2022 NFL Draft. 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. The poor overall year for USC has distracted from what Jackson can be at the next level. However, theres plenty of depth at the position for NFL front offices to sink their teeth into. SCHOOL: USC. The Cowboys EVP spoke on Tuesday out in Indianapolis. Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) February. Drake London USC #15 Junior Moorpark, CA 6'5" 210. 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. Balance is above average but leaves room for improvement. 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. Brian Lamb is the owner of NFL Draft Lounge and has covered the NFL Draft since 2011. When hes lined up inside the defensive line, his stunts have a wide arc, putting him behind the eight ball when penetrating the pocket. Teams with need at the position:Atlanta Falcons,Arizona Cardinals,Baltimore Ravens,Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions,Houston Texans, New York Jets,Philadelphia Eagles,Seattle Seahawks. NFL Team News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumors, Position: EDGE - Drake Jackson is a 6-3, 269-pound Weak-Side Defensive End from Corona, CA. With excellent change-of-direction ability, he dances around the line of scrimmage and drops back into coverage fluidly when tasked with doing so. Jackson should be a stand-up outside linebacker in the NFL, at least until he adds some more lower-body strength to hold up as a legit defensive end. This January scouting profile ends with a typically solid Round 2 grade. 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 . Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Drake Jackson. Here's a scouting report and final grade for 2022 NFL Draft prospect Drake Jackson. In 2021, Addison was the nation's best receiver, with 100 balls for nearly 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns. Born and raised in Corona, California, Jacksons journey to the 2022 NFL Draft began at Centennial High School. Even on the morning of the announcement, he still hadnt made up his mind. 0:12. Keep track of some of the best and most notable performances from the four days of on-field workouts in Indianapolis. Stringing counter moves together will be vital for his development. Teams should be eager to get him in the building and try to take advantage of his clear upside and dynamic athleticism. Those are already impressive numbers, let alone for a true freshman. He's a player who once received top-10 hype; however, his stock declined mightily over the season while others rose. Now, with the depth in this edge-rushing class, Jackson finds himself in a very interesting spot. 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. Currently, hes listed as the third best edge rusher on our 2022 NFL Draft Top 200 Big Board. GRADE: 7.7 (Potential Impact Player - 2nd Round). Hes adept at understanding both man and zone coverage he ensures his positioning is correct when tasked with dropping back into coverage. All Rights Reserved. 12 min read. Please check your email for a confirmation. 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 he played light due to a transition to OLB from defensive end in 2020, that has been to the detriment of his play strength. Very good first step and acceleration. Drake Jackson NFL Draft Profile Position: Outside Linebacker School: USC Current Year: Junior Height: 6'2 5/8 Weight: 254 pounds Wingspan: 82 5/8 Arm: 34 Hand: 10 1/8 Drake Jackson Scouting Report Having entered the season with a high level of expectation, Jackson has gotten lost in a deeply talented EDGE class. Per The Athletic's Dane Brugler, Jackson began at USC as a 275-pound defensive end before moving to outside linebacker and playing at around 240 pounds as a sophomore. 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. 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. It was a crushingly narrow recruiting loss for Arizona State. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 2 TD. He was also awarded Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honorable mention. Despite the narrative that he recorded a down year, the star defender performed very well as a sophomore under unique and challenging circumstances. Once he does, hell be a much more natural fit in the trenches, as opposed to being the sort of tweener he is now. Drake Jackson Scouting Report. His speed and quickness outside the tackle box needs improvement. Was listed at 275 pounds in 2019. D'Marco Jackson, Appalachian State; Drake Jackson, USC; Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State; Nate . 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. In six starts as a sophomore, he tallied 20 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 1 interception. Im predicting that Drake Jackson will run a 4.62 40 time in the 2022 NFL Combine. Lets dive into those before looking at the areas for improvement on his report. His body lean, bend, and dip to get around offensive tackles is some of the best in this draft class. 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. During his 11 games as a starter in 2019, Jackson led the team in tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (5.5). Covers a good amount of area on the field, shows ability in pursuit, and makes a lot of plays in space. The 49ers met with Jackson at the NFL Scouting Combine. Can work across the line of scrimmage quickly. Height: 6'4" Weight: 255. Long arms that he uses well to keep blockers out of his frame. Brian is also the owner of the Infinity Sports Network, which NFL Draft Lounge belongs to. Since 2005, Prep Baseball Report's mission has been to provide the most credible scouting and event platform to help players and recruiters alike. 5 FUM. Will start to give up on a play if the ball doesnt end up near him initially. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'AaRmpLCHSPZ9gMA-UDXWUg',sig:'m3LfwlbybvcslptHYiOyl4D16pSAYJi5z5RKaKFGrgM=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1237591613',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); 23-year-old Ryerson University Sport Media Graduate. Good athlete, not great. 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. 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. His release off the line, flexibility, and twitchiness are just incredible. Clifton Brown. 2 out of the gate while he works on adding strength and nuance to his game. His performances earned him an honorable mention for the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. Limits his ability as a pass rusher. A detail of the NFL Scouting Combine logo at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March . Doesnt look like he knows how to use his hands very well. 38. *Percentile calculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine 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. 77. Unfortunately for the USC OLB, the 2021 college football season didnt live up to expectations for him or the Trojans. 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. For more on Pickens, check out our scouting report on him. He moves just like a wide receiver, maybe even better than most. Heading into the 2021 college football season, Jackson was considered by many to be one of the top prospects in this class. However, hes still a fairly raw prospect who needs some refinement to make him an effective pass rusher. Once considered a contender to be the first pass rusher off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft, USCs Drake Jackson has seen a slight downturn in his stock during the last year. He has the length to be disruptive at the point of attack, but he doesnt currently have a ton of weapons in his armory. AboutPressCopyrightContact. Jackson, 20, had five sacks, a forced fumble and interception in 10 games with the Trojans last season as a junior. Although it is less than ideal to lose weight so rapidly, the lighter frame suited the transition to outside linebacker under a new defensive coordinator. In run defense, Jackson exhibits inconsistent play recognition and abandons his gap too often by penetrating early. His hand usage is aggressive, which allows him to drive back offensive linemen or win on a regular-basis on the outside. 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. Currently, hes excellent at pursuing in space. Against the run, the Trojan standout has the strength to bench press, anchor down, fill space and fill. Has a decent speed rush that he uses well when he can get under the block. While he has shown he has great athleticism, his high-end plays simply do not come out enough. To stand out during a pandemic while adapting to a new playing weight, position and defensive coordinator is no easy feat. 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: 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. Jackson started for USC three years and left the Trojans with 103 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, two interceptions, two forced . 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. HEIGHT: 6'2" WEIGHT: 254 pounds. 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. 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