2019 NFL Draft Profile: Joe Jackson

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Stefan Adams

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One of the leaders on Miami’s fast and furious stop unit in 2018 has decided to try his luck at the NFL, making the move to chase his dream by leaving school a year early.

Joe Jackson has been a force on the Canes defensive line for all three of his seasons with the team. After coming off the bench as a pass-rushing specialist as a true freshman and recording 8.5 sacks, Jackson morphed into an every down, full-time starter as a sophomore in 2017. Jackson tallied a career-high 14.5 TFL and 9 sacks last season as a junior, and was also an All-ACC honorable mention. He may have been most remembered in 2018 for his big 42 yard pick six against UNC, scoring one of UM’s record-setting three defensive TD’s on the night.

In his career, Jackson was at his best against UM’s biggest rival, recording a sack in each game against FSU and totaling 4.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks in total versus the Noles. He leaves the Canes tied for fourth with Jamaal Green on UM’s all-time sacks list with 24.


Pre-Draft Measurables

Height
: 6’4”

Weight: 275 pounds

Arms: 34 1/8”

Hands: 10”

Bench Press: 22 Reps

Vert. Jump: 27”

Broad Jump: 108”


Strengths

Power


Jackson is a naturally powerful force that is well-built in his upper body. He rushes in with brute strength in passing situations and can anchor the edge in the run game. In fact, he steadily improved every year holding up against the run while maintaining his pass rush abilities, and he is very adept at holding his ground at the point of attack. His play strength is ready to be an every down 4-3 end in the league.

Length

The potential is there with his lanky arms. There is a lot for a coach to work with when considering his wingspan and he does show the ability to punch a blocker center chest and burst around the edge. He knocked down three passes at the line as junior and has the length to disrupt passing lanes.


Weaknesses

Fluidity


Jackson plays a little too tight in his hips and is lacking in bend around the edge. You would like to see more flexibility for someone so athletic and he can play stiff and upright at times. Has heavy feet and lacks range as a tackler in space.

Secondary Pass Rush Moves


Doesn’t always use his hands well to create separation and relies too much on quickness off the snap. He can get snatched up in his rush if he doesn’t win his rep from the jump and can be slow to get off blocks at times. Doesn’t really have a reliable counter move if he is beaten initially.


Draft Projection: 3rd-5th round


Jackson left school early and hoped to raise his stock in the pre-draft workouts to where he’d be considered a solid 2nd round pick, but that didn’t happen. However, scouts love him as an upside pick in the mid-rounds. From an anonymous AFC scout: "You draft big, strong guys and then you let the coaches bring the rest of it out. He's the physical prototype and he's going to get a lot better as a rusher. I love the upside." While he may not go as high as he hoped, he won’t fall too far on draft day due to his tantalizing potential and he is a guy that could easily make a team look very smart in a few years.
 
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Not a 10 sack projection. About as terrible an athletic tester at the position as you'll find in the NFL.

...but...he's a good football player and a better athlete on the field. Better all around end that gives you a little bit of everything...3rd edge in the rotation type. He's got to get better and is a bit overrated by this board. I've seen guys like Duwuane Smoot and Chad Thomas get drafted in the third round, so I could see Jackson being taken there...but he could be RJ McIntosh, too, and be a 5th Rounder...that athletic profile is alarming and would be long odds to be a starter type in the league, so I've tempered my expectations to think he'll just be a solid rotational guy.

Most of y'all will disagree...but I liked Chad Thomas more as a prospect.
 
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"Jackson left school early and hoped to raise his stock in the pre-draft workouts to where he’d be considered a solid 2nd round pick, but that didn’t happen " Enough said
 
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Not a 10 sack projection. About as terrible an athletic tester at the position as you'll find in the NFL.

...but...he's a good football player and a better athlete on the field. Better all around end that gives you a little bit of everything...3rd edge in the rotation type. He's got to get better and is a bit overrated by this board. I've seen guys like Duwuane Smoot and Chad Thomas get drafted in the third round, so I could see Jackson being taken there...but he could be RJ McIntosh, too, and be a 5th Rounder...that athletic profile is alarming and would be long odds to be a starter type in the league, so I've tempered my expectations to think he'll just be a solid rotational guy.

Most of y'all will disagree...but I liked Chad Thomas more as a prospect.

Imo Joe Jackson was better than Jon Garvin last year. Is he a 10 sack DE in the NFL hard to say but he has the potential to be.

As far as a draft comparison goes... He’s a much better prospect than Takk McKinley who the Falcons drafted in the 1st. Joe Jackson could start in the NFL especially if a DE like Takk McKinley is starting in the NFL.

I am a Chad Thomas fan too but I think Joe is more physically gifted, and was more of a playmaker than Thomas. I would take both in a heart beat on any team running a 4-3.
 
"About as terrible an athletic tester at the position as you'll find in the NFL."

Jachai Polite says Hello.

On a real note...

You look at what kind of athletes Florida State, Florida, and Miami are putting out every year? Holy ****, they've been testing like ****. Florida State with all of these WRs running like 4.6 and 4.7. Florida players testing like ****. I've noted Miami's lack of athletes in recent vintage.

What in the **** is goin on around here?
 
Not a 10 sack projection. About as terrible an athletic tester at the position as you'll find in the NFL.

...but...he's a good football player and a better athlete on the field. Better all around end that gives you a little bit of everything...3rd edge in the rotation type. He's got to get better and is a bit overrated by this board. I've seen guys like Duwuane Smoot and Chad Thomas get drafted in the third round, so I could see Jackson being taken there...but he could be RJ McIntosh, too, and be a 5th Rounder...that athletic profile is alarming and would be long odds to be a starter type in the league, so I've tempered my expectations to think he'll just be a solid rotational guy.

Most of y'all will disagree...but I liked Chad Thomas more as a prospect.

I was pretty shocked at his testing. We all knew he was limited to one rush move and his strength, but I thought he was more athletic than he is.
 
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Should have stayed. Goes 4th round at best. Will be a steal for whoever gets him though that late in the draft.
 
Solid write up. If he had more bend and hand usage when rushing the passer he’d be a first round pick. I’d expect a late 3rd or early 4th round pick. Should have came back honestly but his size will keep him in the NFL for much longer than average
 
Like Chad Thomas, Jackson didn't test well.

But Jackson had 22.5 sacks in 3 years when Thomas had 10 sacks in 4. Jachai Polite had 15 sacks. Brian Burns had 23 sacks.

Jackson just gets to the QB. I think he's a 2nd round talent who goes 3rd/4th round. Not necessarily a "steal", but a great value.
 
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Agree I was shocked he didn't test better but the tape doesn't lie IMO when it comes to him and its not like he tested horribly either. Our expectations of him were too high as an athlete.

He can make it in the league IMO if the right team sees the potential in him. I can see him being a late 3rd round guy.
 
Like Chad Thomas, Jackson didn't test well.

But Jackson had 22.5 sacks in 3 years when Thomas had 10 sacks in 4. Jachai Polite had 15 sacks. Brian Burns had 23 sacks.

Jackson just gets to the QB. I think he's a 2nd round talent who goes 3rd/4th round. Not necessarily a "steal", but a great value.
That’s all Ive been saying about Jackson, he’s doesn’t have elite pass rush moves but still gets the job done and his production is up there with the “elite” pass rushers despite all of that. I like Joe because he can play the run and the pass well. Hopefully the Bucs draft him in the 3rd
 
That’s all Ive been saying about Jackson, he’s doesn’t have elite pass rush moves but still gets the job done and his production is up there with the “elite” pass rushers despite all of that. I like Joe because he can play the run and the pass well. Hopefully the Bucs draft him in the 3rd

I'm with you. I understand the knocks on him, but he's extremely productive. I'm betting on him.
 
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