From now until the 2020 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
# 73 Austin Jackson/OT USC – 6’6”, 310 lbs
The Good
- Packs a real punch with his hands that will stun pass rushers
- Good movement skills in space
- Length is fantastic, will play tackle at the next level
- Really good, quick footwork
- High IQ football player who can exchange stunts and twists
- Does a nice job of using his hands to run guys around the arc
- Exceptionally strong lower legs
- Punches are well-timed
- Has good hand placement
- Good communicator on the line
The Bad
- Plays up in the sky, pad level is way too high
- Grip strength just is not there
- Gets beat too much by power and needs to anchor better
- Trusts his punches too much and does not drive in the run game
- Lunges towards defenders and gets beat because of it
- Could stand to add some upper body strength
- Gets antsy and opens the door to the inside trying to beat speed rushers to the edge
- He is a piece of clay that has to be molded
Bio
- Won USC’s John McKay Award
- Former Track Star as a Discus Thrower
- Grandfather Melvin Jackson was a former NFL Offensive Lineman
- First-Team All-PAC-12 in 2019
- Only 20 years old
- Donated Bone Marrow last Summer to his sister
In a tackle class that features a lot of high-end talent with considerable depth to it, there is a sense of heightened expectations for every prospect that you watch at that position to live up that sort of upped billing in this class.