6-foot-3
265 pounds
Yahoo Sports’ 2022 NFL draft grade
5.69 — possible second-rounder; starter potential
TL;DR scouting report
A 4-star Rivals recruit (No. 38 nationally) in the Class of 2019, Jackson picked the Trojans and enrolled early. He started all 11 games he played (missing two with injury) at defensive end and made 46 tackles (11.5 for losses), 5.5 sacks, three passes defended, a forced fumble and a safety in 2019. In 2020, he started all six games at outside linebacker, with 20 tackles (5.5 TFLs), two sacks and an interception.
Jackson started nine of 11 games he played in 2021, totaling 37 tackles (eight TFLs), five sacks, one forced fumble, one recovery, one interception and one pass defended. He opted out of the California game and declared early for the 2022 NFL draft.
The skinny
Fascinating rush talent with athleticism and bend to be a star, but first he needs to strengthen up and improve vs. the run
USC EDGE Drake Jackson isn’t the tpo-10 project he appeared to be as a freshman but has good upside to develop. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Upside
Long frame ideal for edge play — 34-inch arms, 82 5/8-inch wingspan
Very good flexibility and bend, especially for his size
Explosiveness, lateral quickness evident on tape and in NFL combine, pro-day workouts
Decent quickness off the snap to tax more wooden tackles
Surprisingly slippery and hard to maintain contact against
Plays with good pad level and can get underneath block attempts
Great long-arm rush can put blockers on skates
Speed rush package includes tempo shifts and quick-reaction skills
Runs down plays laterally well — good playmaking range to flush ball carriers out
Asked to play multiple roles each season — coachable and willing to help the team
Development likely was stalled with major 2020 weight loss
Appeared to be a future top-10 pick following freshman year
Expanded coverage duties with each season, making 2 INTs on only 12 career targets
Adept at sniffing out screens —…