The 2024 NFL Draft is getting close, making it an excellent time to highlight some of the class' best players with scouting reports. Each report will include strengths, weaknesses and background information.
Here's our report on Brennan Jackson.
Jackson was a fun player to watch with his high-intensity, competitive approach on every snap that left no mystery as to how he played the game. Jackson, while not a sudden, explosive athlete, possesses a desirable combination of plus athleticism and movement enhanced by his non-stop motor and outstanding playing personality, strength and power.
His short-stroke power showed within 6 to 10 inches off the line to shock OL and TEs off the snap. What consistently stood out watching Jackson’s tape was his persistent effort, playing with an urgency that bordered on maniacal. That mindset resulted in his competitiveness to drive through blockers with physical toughness and plus play strength.
As a pass rusher, Jackson did not bring many moves with him. Speed-to-power is his foundation, but he did flash an inside spin move that had some explosiveness to it. He also brings some front versatility with his ability to line up inside and be a factor as a pass rusher.
Overall, Jackson showed first-step quickness off the ball with plus power when he had some runway and strong hands to play contact. Those traits usually translate to the next level. Jackson also showed POA strength as a run defender, shedding 1-on-1 blocks and aggressively taking on double teams.
Coaches will like Jackson, and he will become an important rotational piece in 6-8 DL fronts that are now prevalent in the NFL. Can Jackson also transition as a standup OLB in the five-man fronts that many teams now feature?
I think he can, and that gives him a lot of positional versatility. Jackson’s height/weight and athletic testing measurables were similar to George Karlaftis’. Karlaftis exceeded Jackson somewhat meaningfully in the vertical and broad. The question is how evaluators and coaches see that regarding his projection.
Jackson played five years at Washington State after coming out of California as a three-star recruit. He played DL and TE in high school. Jackson earned his first start as a redshirt sophomore in 2020. He became a three-year, full-time starter and was named Second-Team All-Pac 12 in 2022 and 2023.
He almost exclusively lined up on the outside at DE but there were some snaps inside at DT.
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