Tarron Jackson 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Pro Day Performance
40-yard Dash: 4.70 seconds
Bench Press: 25 reps
Vertical Jump: 29.5″
Tarron Jackson 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Not many players enter the 2021 NFL draft with as much experience and production as Coastal Carolina defensive end Tarron Jackson. Wearing the number 9 because that was the age he was when his brother died from leukemia, Jackson arrived at Coastal Carolina in 2016. After an injury led to a medical redshirt, Jackson returned to give Coastal Carolina four years of dominance. In 2018, he was named All-Sun Belt Third-Team. In 2019, he racked up 10 sacks and was All-Sun Belt First-Team for his efforts.
He saved his best for last, though. In 2020, he ended his collegiate career by racking up 8.5 sacks on the season. He added three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as well, and in total accumulated 14 tackles for loss. Jackson was named First-Team All-America and was a Nagurski Finalist. Over his career, Jackson had 44.5 tackles for loss, 26.5 sacks, and six career forced fumbles.
Strengths
- Possesses an impressive swim move to beat blockers to the inside;
- Good closing speed to couple with a high-motor;
- Has production that matches playing time and flashes on tape all game long;
- Lines up all over the line and is productive from each spot;
- Solid against the run and can consistently “sets the edge”;
- Usually beats blocks with technical skills but can overpower blockers, too.
Weaknesses
- Sometimes gets locked up in traffic;
- Has a solid build but his height doesn’t give him ideal “length” that teams covet in EDGE rushers;
- 2016 and 2017 seasons ended with injuries, although that wasn’t an issue in the three following seasons;
- Sometimes overpursues in pass rushes that allow quarterbacks to step up in the pocket;
- Occasionally doesn’t close to prevent cutback runs, but this can sometimes be attributed to defending read-options and overall scheme failure.
NFL Comparison: Everson Griffen
Teams With Need at Position: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings
Projection: 4th-6th round
Bottom Line on Tarron Jackson
Tarron Jackson enters the 2021 NFL draft with experience, production, and tape. However, his size and age will work against him and prevent him from becoming a Day 2 selection. However, once Day 3 rolls around, anything can happen. He has the size to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 right away, but he has a frame that could allow him to beef up and develop into a three-technique defensive tackle.
In an ideal situation, Jackson would get drafted by a team that plans to use him strictly in pass-rushing situations to begin his career. While he can line up inside, he still probably projects better on the outside as he showcased with impressive Pro Day numbers that back up the explosiveness on tape. He has an energy that you can feel while watching tape and he was voted a team captain. He’s an ideal Day 3 selection that, in the right situation, can become a serviceable, every-down player.
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