Over the next couple of months, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up into the 2020 NFL Draft. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.
Today, we are taking a look at USC offensive tackle Austin Jackson.
Honors and Awards
- All-Pac-12 First Team (2019)
- John McKay Award (2018)
Highlights
The OT class in the 2020 #NFLDraft continues to get better. There’s a lot to like about #USC LT Austin Jackson (6-6, 310, Jr.).
Athletic, springy out of his stance, and his hands are super strong at the POA. pic.twitter.com/QVJqytierF
— Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) November 6, 2019
#USC LT Austin Jackson showing the lateral agility and patience to mirror the pass rusher #NFLDraft #FightOn pic.twitter.com/rbpLRiQL0o
— Brian Johannes (@Draft_Brian) February 2, 2020
Watch USC LT Austin Jackson’s hand replacement… Epenesa knocks one down, replace!! Beautiful stuff
Thoughts on this kid… @BigDuke50 @geoffschwartz @BrandonThornNFL @BigWillie7179 pic.twitter.com/aQ3I5rNnIV
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) January 24, 2020
Strengths
- Looks the part with an ideal frame, length for the position. Room for additional mass.
- Above-average set-up quickness and movement skills to mirror rushers and control himself in space.
- Displays natural flexibility and bend to open his hips and redirect.
- Proper pad level off the snap and looks to extend and punch with his long arms.
- Recovers well with terrific reactive athleticism to shuffle, sink, and anchor while maintaining his base.
- Good mental processing to pick up blitzers.
- Rangy player who can pull and get to the second level with ease.
- Durable player, finishing his college career 39 games played, starting 25 games.
Weaknesses
- Footwork and hands are still learning to work in sync together.
- Inconsistent hand placement, struggling to keep his elbows inside to recoil and handle counter moves. Underdeveloped counter measures.
- Bad habit of prematurely opening up his kickslide.
- Needs to develop upper body and core strength to create more movement in the run game.
- Aggressively overextends, which causes him to lose his balance.
Summary
Jackson, a two-year starter at USC, has all the physical tools that’ll intrigue NFL teams. He needs to develop functional power and improve his mechanics – primarily with his footwork and hand technique to match his length and quickness. While he is not necessarily a top-tier pro prospect compared to some of the others at his position, Jackson has the length, awareness and movement skills to become a solid starter at the next level.
Chargers Fit
Los Angeles loves to find talent in their backyard and Jackson would be the perfect addition to a position that’s easily one of the weakest on the roster. Jackson, the smooth-moving tackle, strictly played on the left side in college, but he could start at right tackle while he develops his fundamentals before he’s ready to move to his natural position by Year 2 or 3.