Kiper says Jackson has chance ‘to be an All Pro:’ Feedback on Dolphins’ Jackson pick
Feedback on the Dolphins’ selection of offensive tackle Austin Jackson with the 18th pick in Thursday’s NFL Draft:
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah: “They’re getting a true left tackle with outstanding foot quickness and athleticism. He struggled a little bit early on in the year and got more comfortable as the year progressed. He’s only 20 years old. I don’t know that he can step on the field right now and be an impact tackle. But the upside with this kid is off the charts because of his ability to bend his knees and move. He’s an outstanding athlete.”
ESPN’s Louis Riddick: “He’s unmatched in this draft at the offensive tackle position. You could say at least he’s on par with all the other top tackles in this draft. Tremendous set quickness, long arms, good punch. Tremendous recoverability. In the run game, he can play in the power scheme, can play zone schemes, can climb to the second level. He just needs to stay more consistent when he goes up against technically proficient pass rushers because he had trouble with [Iowa’s] AJ Epenesa, had a little bit of trouble with [Utah’s] Bradley Anae. This is a guy who’s best football is ahead of him, without a doubt. “
ESPN’s Mel Kiper rated him only 48th among all players but said: “Jackson is a developmental tackle with a high ceiling. If he lands in the right situation, he could be an All-Pro.”
ESPN’s Todd McShay, in comments issued last week (McShay is missing this weekend while recovering from coronavirus): “Jackson can handle speed off the edge.”
Pro Football Focus isn’t high on him, noting: “It’s almost hard to believe that some view Austin Jackson as a top-five offensive tackle and a first-round product. On our big board, he is the No. 13 offensive tackle and 100th prospect overall. The biggest reason for the divide between PFF and the scouts and other media is the lack of consistency and physicality, as well as how badly he performed against NFL-caliber pass-rushers.
“Jackson ranked outside the top 30 left tackles in both pass-block grade and run-block grade in each of the last two seasons, and, as mentioned in the PFF Draft Guide, his three worst games of 2019 came against the only NFL-caliber pass-rushers he faced all year long: Utah (Bradlee Anae), Notre Dame (Julian Okwara) and Iowa (A.J. Epenesa). If he got sliced and diced by those three, imagine how he’d fare against the likes of Von Miller, Khalil Mack and J.J. Watt.”
NFL Net’s Bucky Brooks: “Jackson is a natural left tackle with outstanding balance, body control and lateral quickness. Dolphins will need to clean up some of his technique but he has All Pro caliber talent and could blossom as a blindside protector down the road.”
Here was my piece with feedback on Miami’s selection of Tua Tagovailoa.
This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 10:44 PM.
