STRENGTHS
Jackson is a bigger version of Eagles Jason Kelce. He has Jason’s body type and arm length. He is about the same size He has unique athletic talent for a person his size. He has the foot speed to be used as a pulling center or guard. Jackson has quick feet that help him to explode off the line when run-blocking. He has that first quick lateral step, that allows him to help out guards in pass-blocking situations, and is stout against a bull rush in his face because of his weight and bulk. Jackson shows the mental toughness and mental stamina needed to become a Pro Bowl interior lineman for the next level. These mental attributes along with his natural athletic talent, size, and bulk make Jackson the type of multi-position interior lineman teams need to compete for the playoffs and Super Bowl every year.
CONCERNS
Jackson has some developing to do if he continues to play center at the next level. He needs to get stronger in his upper body to handle the one-on-one pass blocking required of that position. Jackson is so tight in the hips that losing weight will be necessary to become a true center and not be moved to guard. Losing some weight will limit leg injuries, caused by lunging to compensate for his lack of body and arm length. Nevertheless, Jackson showed at the Senior Bowl practices, that he is a quick learner defeating one gap defensive lineman moves much better than he did during the season.
BOTTOM LINE: 1.89
I don’t think there is any doubt that teams are projecting Jackson as a plug-and-play 10-year offensive lineman. As a center, he will struggle “somewhat” until he gets stronger and loses just a little weight to keep his balance better. He will also have to learn the pass blocking techniques that a short-arm, offensive lineman needs to use at the next level to be more than just a potential Pro Bowl guard. All of this will happen because Jackson has proved his ability to take what he learns onto the field quickly at the Senior Bowl practices. I think Jackson and teams have to be more concerned about his weight in the future. The truth is, his short stature along with his short arms and added weight could be a downfall for him despite his overall excellent athletic talent. Then again his mental strength and toughness without much doubt, make him a potential Pro Bowl center or guard for sure. At the Senior Bowl, his weight was listed at 334 lbs. If Jackson gets better upper body strength and plays at about 320 lbs, he will dominate. He will be more explosive and quicker off the ball, play with better leverage and balance, and overcome his lack of arm reach and body length. He will also be quicker and faster getting out for sweeps and screens and be able to dominate smaller players when blocking in open space. Now you see how easy it is to nit-pick a player when to nit-pick is irrelevant.
