Jaxson Kirkland NFL Draft Overview
Position: Guard
Height: 6′-7″
Weight: 321 pounds
School: Washington
2023 NFL Draft: Jaxson Kirkland Scouting Report
Jaxson Kirkland began his college football career in 2017, with the Huskies of the University of Washington. He did not play any games during the season and was granted redshirt status after the season. During the 2018 season, Kirkland started all 14 of Washington’s games that season, at right guard. During his 2019 season, Kirkland started 11 of the Huskies 13 games, missing two with an injury. Kirkland started all four of Washington’s games in the Covid-19 shortened, 2020 season. He played all of those games at left guard. For the 2021 season, Kirkland started 10 of the Huskies 12 games at left tackle. He missed the remaining two games due to injury. In his final season in the Evergreen State, Kirkland started 10 of the Huskies 13 games at left tackle and/or left guard.
Strengths
- Has the versatility to play either guard or tackle at the NFL level
- Is a massive prospect for a guard at 6′-7″
- Is very effective as a blocker in the run game
- Highly effective and efficient at defeating first-level blocks, then taking on the second-level defender
- He has explosive first steps on plays he has to pull on, and on stretch plays
Weaknesses
- Does not win drive-blocking battles
- He often plays too high as a guard
- Needs to improve lower body and core strength
- Is unable to jar and shock opponents with an initial punch
- Gets dominated by bull rushers
NFL Comparison: A less athletic Andrus Peat
Teams With Need At Position: Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders
Projection: Fifth-to-Sixth Round
Bottom Line on Jaxson Kirkland
Jaxson Kirkland has the versatility to play guard or tackle at the NFL level. He is a massive prospect at 6′-7″, 321 pounds. Kirkland is a very proficient blocker in the run game and is able to quickly and efficiently defeat his first-level opponent, get to the second level, and engage with that opponent which helps make the run game highly effective. He has an explosive first step especially when he has to pull or is involved in a stretch play. Teams will likely question his history of injuries. Additionally, he typically does not win drive-blocking battles, which typically result in a stalemate. Playing the guard position, he frequently allows himself to become too high, which allows defenders to gain leverage and take control of him.
Kirkland will have to improve his lower body and core strength overall if he is going to have a relatively long career in the NFL. He will also need to improve his initial punch and hand-fighting skills in order to produce a more effective pop on his initial punch. Kirkland will also have to figure out a way to contend with bull rushers, as this was a real Achilles’ heel for him while at Washington. Kirkland will be given an opportunity to show what he can do at the NFL level, regardless of his weaknesses. A team will pick him in either round five or round six, of this weekend’s NFL Draft.
Main Photo Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
