NFL.com draft profile- Alaric Jackson "chance to become an eventual starter"

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ALARIC JACKSON IOWA OT
Prospect Info
COLLEGE
Iowa

HOMETOWN
Detroit, MI

CLASS
R-Senior

HEIGHT
6' 5 1/2"

WEIGHT
321 lbs

ARMS
33 7/8"

HANDS
9 1/4"

Prospect Grade
5.87
BACKUP/SPECIAL-TEAMER

Player Bio
Alaric (pronounced AH-lair-ick) was a star at Detroit's Renaissance High School, and stuck with Iowa in the recruiting process despite a late push from Michigan. He redshirted in 2016 before becoming the team's starting left tackle for 12 games to earn Freshman All-American accolades. Jackson was voted second-team All-Big Ten by league coaches as a sophomore after again starting 12 games at the left tackle spot. He received third-team notice in 2019 after being limited to 10 starts on the blindside, missing three contests with a knee injury. Jackson wanted to stay healthy and more energized for his senior season, so he switched to a vegan diet and lost body fat. Coaches voted him 2020 first-team All-Big Ten for his play in eight starts at left tackle. He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. -- by Chad Reuter


Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst

Draft Projection
Round 6

Overview
Athletic left tackle with potential roster value as swing tackle and/or zone scheme guard. Jackson made dietary changes and reshaped his body with less bad weight but there are still concerns with consistency of play strength when attempting to protect his edges. Poor footwork caused awkward exchanges and consistent issues with contact balance throughout his tape at Iowa, but he appeared to have made some adjustments and improvements by the time practices rolled around at the Senior Bowl. If he can clean up technique and footwork on a full-time basis, he has a chance to become an eventual starter at guard or tackle.

Strengths
42 careers starts at left tackle.
Named to the Iowa Leadership Group as a senior.
Reworked diet and eliminated bad weight in 2020.
Gets out of a stance and up the field in a hurry.
Climbs from first to second block are smooth and quick.
Strikes with upward lift to initiate leverage.
Accurate with initial hands into run fit.
Adequate power step to close out inside shots.
Well-schooled driving block on a diagonal on outside zone.
Internal mechanism prompts well-timed punch.
Showed improved play during Senior Bowl one-on-ones.
Hip flexion and agility to open and recover at top of the rush.

Weaknesses
Doesn't have thick upper body through the arms.
Early panic sets in when pass-setting against speed.
Has a difficult time calling on and finding a sudden anchor.
Footwork in 2019 and 2020 tape is a mess.
Requires firmer outside hand against NFL edge rushers.
Loses reach block when working hands before feet.
Below-average contact balance at point of attack.
Has trouble protecting his edges with upper-body power.
Will let up before the block is finished.




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/02/2021 09:50AM by Rams Junkie.