The Steelers have made mention of the offensive tackle depth in the 2020 NFL Draft. Here’s my scouting report on USC tackle, Austin Jackson.
The offensive tackle position has seen better days in Pittsburgh. What was once a strength on the Steelers has now become an area of weakness, and veteran Matt Feiler could be looking at a position chance to guard this season. Alejandro Villanueva is a seasoned veteran with 2 Pro Bowls under his belt but he turns 32 at the start of the season and is on the last year of his contract.
Outside of him, unproven players in Zach Banner and Chukwuma Okorafor will likely look to battle it out at right tackle this year. The 2020 NFL Draft is loaded with talent at the position, but the top 7 or 8 tackles on the board could all be gone before Pittsburgh’s pick.
Austin Jackson is not a player that is guaranteed to fall this far in the draft, but the Steelers will have interest if he does. Here is my scouting report on the USC offensive tackle:
OT Austin Jackson, USC:
Strengths:
- One of the youngest players in the draft (20 until August)
- Extremely athletic for the position
- Prototype frame at 6’5” and 322 pounds with 34 1/8” arms
- Quick, nimble feet and good twitch
- Has flexibility and some pop to his punches
- Can get the second level quickly
- Impressive kick slide for his size, fluid mover
- Ability on special teams (blocked two kicks)
Weaknesses:
- Very inconsistent film – dominant one game and awful the next
- undisciplined technique, fundamentals need work
- Needs to improve core strength
- Can get sloppy with his hand placement on defenders
- Overextends and gets out of position
- Still plays extremely raw and would benefit to sit and learn for a year behind a good offensive line coach
Austin Jackson’s fit in Pittsburgh
If Jackson were available to the Steelers at pick 49, Pittsburgh would likely jump at the opportunity to grab him. He’s an extremely young tackle with prototype measurables and outstanding athleticism. However, he still is a work in progress.
Jackson wouldn’t necessarily be forced to start right away. He would sit behind Villanueva as an understudy and redshirt his rookie season before taking over left tackle duties in 2021. Jackson is your typical boom or bust prospect, but if all goes well, he could be a long-time starter in Pittsburgh with Pro Bowl upside.
Pro Comparison: Ereck Flowers
Ereck Flowers was a highly-touted prospect back in 2015 due to his prototype size metrics and impressive athleticism for his frame. As a result, he was the 9th overall pick by the New York Giants. However, despite his high ceiling, Flowers struggled with consistency in the NFL and ultimately transitioned inside to guard in 2019.
Though Jackson is certainly athletic enough to remain at tackle, he reminds me of Flowers – a big, athletic tackle, but the tape is all over the place. There’s no denying the upside is all there, but he will only reach it if he cleans up his technique and consistency.
Game Film:
The Steelers may not go offensive tackle this early in the draft, because it’s not a position that is likely to help them out this year in a closing Super Bowl window. However, Austin Jackson will certainly be a player on their radar if he slips in the draft.