Jackson Slater has seen a quick rise in his draft stock recently and is climbing to the top ranks of small-school prospects. Here is a 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report and film analysis on him.
Overview, Film Analysis, And 2025 Scouting Report Of Sacramento State OL Jackson Slater
Measurables:
- 6’4”
- 316 lbs
Player Background:
Jackson Slater began his Sacramento State career after graduating from the 2021 class. He was ranked as a three-star recruit out of Newport Senior High School. He began the season on the bench, but he never left once he got onto the field, and started the team’s last nine contests of the year. His dominant run began the following season, starting every game at left guard and left tackle.
He received a plethora of honors at the year’s conclusion and catapulted among the FCS’ best linemen. The second of Slater’s three consecutive All-Conference seasons came in 2023, again starting all 13 of the Hornets’ matches. He capped off an impressive collegiate career in 2024, ranked as the FCS’s fourth-best guard. He started nine games before a knee injury sidelined him but he didn’t allow a single sack.
Accolades:
- Third Team All-American (2022)
- First Team All-Big Sky (2022)
- First Team All-Big Sky (2023)
- First Team All-Big Sky (2024)
- First Team All-American (2024)
Strengths/Pros:
Slater has the foundation of an NFL interior lineman and it all starts from his base. He’s strong in his lower half and he works through his legs well when driving through defenders. He controls defenders very quickly after getting any sort of contact, easily moving them off plays. His arm strength is great, allowing him to contact and move rushers from a distance. He forces defenders into uncomfortable positions early and often and has the functional strength to keep them there.
He’s a great compact mover when pulling, ripping into unsuspecting opponents, and staying physical in all directions. Slater processes early pass rush moves smoothly, getting himself into favorable positions to counter. He’s an easy mover around the line, rarely getting choppy and rotating to the second level fluidly. He re-establishes his feet swiftly when they get jittery and he keeps his upper half engaged. His knowledge of rushing lanes is excellent, and he easily re-directs interior rushers.
Weaknesses/Cons:
Slater’s big issue is his timidity as a pass blocker. He waits too long to become aggressive with contact and gets blown off his base too often. This often leads to rough pass-blocking losses and puts him in spots that he can’t recover from. These issues are most prevalent when countering bull rushes, letting defenders get too close to him, and having to revert to pure strength rather than technique.
His instincts need work when he’s left in space, occasionally attacking the wrong spots and taking less-than-ideal routes to block assignments. Slater needs to get more powerful as a help blocker, often leaving other linemen on islands for too long. He’s easily vulnerable to quick power rushes, losing his set when facing high-level speed-to-power rushers. He might struggle against NFL rushers, with re-establishing skills that might not keep up at points.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Slater has a future as a starter in the NFL, likely at left guard but has the skills to translate along the interior. His prospect profile certainly has some rawness but he’s shown consistent high-end abilities to become a mainstay in the league. The four-year senior can likely be slotted into at least a rotational role from the jump and survive. The deficiencies in his game are fixable and while he might not become a top-of-the-line player, he could massively help stabilize a team’s line.
Prospect Grade:
- Late 3rd Round To Early 4th Round
Film Exposures:
- 2024 vs. Eastern Washington
- 2024 vs. Nicholls State
- 2024 vs. San Jose State
Main Photo Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
