With the 2022 NFL Draft right around the corner, I already feel some excitement building toward this upcoming season! I thought it would be fun to get to know this draft class a little more.
After some decent research, I've compiled a list of twenty-five players that I simply look forward to see playing on the next level.
I'm not necessarily trying to outright claim these players are going to all be lock Pro-Bowl caliber players or something like that. I basically just went with my gut here. My criteria for this list basically consisted of players that really popped off the screen for me, players that have a high ceiling, but can also contribute quickly at the next level.
I kept it simple, I just looked for players I personally could picture KILLING it in the NFL.
Of course there's PLENTY of other talent in the draft. It was really difficult to pick twenty-five players.
Plus, odds are I'll be DEAD wrong about a fair chunk of these players I have listed.
Anyway, to start off this list at #25 is a USC Trojan.
#25 Drake Jackson - Edge (DE/OLB) - USC Junior
- 6'3"
- 254 Pounds
College Stats/Notes
- 27 Games Played
- 3x Second-Team All-Pac-12
- 25 Career Tackles For Loss
- 12.5 Career Sacks
- 2 Interceptions
- 4 Passes Defended
- 1 Fumble Recovery
- Tremendous Freshman Year Included:
- 11.5 Tackles For Loss
- 5.5 Sacks
Watching Drake Jackson, it seems likely to me that his game will translate well in the NFL. He has got good size for his position.
Jackson seems like the perfect defensive edge player. Like he was born to play the position honestly. He seems to have mastered a sort of hybrid between a speed rush and a bull rush. It's like Jackson has the ability to drag o-lineman, and it just seems to keep opposing o-lineman off-balance. It's a unique looking style because it looks like a style that belongs in the pros, not something you would expect from a college player. He has some wise beyond his years, NFL vet-like qualities to his game, but he also is very clearly only twenty years old when he plays, in that, he plays fast and aggressive and seems to just have that spry wild edge about him on the field.
Jackson only turns 21 on April 12th! The guy has SO much time to get better than he already is. If he adds just a mild layer of muscle and receives some more coaching, I think he can develop into a very nice player. He really displays all the tools.
Any team that drafts Drake Jackson, will be getting a well-rounded defensive player. They will definitely be happy!
Jackson is projected to be a second rounder.
What team do you think would be a good fit for Jackson?
