Pittsburgh Steelers fans who study the pre-draft process closely know two things about this team: they like defensive linemen who are tall and long, and they gravitate toward prospects with strong family bloodlines. Their latest 30 visit has both.
On Tuesday, the Steelers reportedly held a trio of pre-draft visits. Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston was the name most fans recognized. However, Pittsburgh also met with Florida State defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr.
And it's already painfully obvious as to why the Steelers are interested in Jackson.
At 6'5 3/8'' and 315 pounds with 34 3/4'' arms, a massive 86'' wingspan, and huge 11'' hands, Jackson's size profile is exactly what the Steelers look for in their 3-4 base defensive ends. On top of his impressive physique, Jackson is the son of former NFL wide receiver Darrell Jackson, who played nine seasons (106 games) at wide receiver, earning 7,132 receiving yards and 51 touchdowns.
The Steelers' infatuation with size on the defensive line and strong family ties could lead Pittsburgh to select Jackson in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could select Florida State DL Darrell Jackson Jr. on Day 2 of the NFL Draft
Jackson is not considered a first-round prospect... nor should he be. In five college seasons—one at Maryland, one at Miami, and three at Florida State to finish his college career—the big defensive lineman combined to earn a mere 12 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks in 50 games.
This means Jackson was managing just 0.24 tackles for loss and 0.15 sacks per game. This is bad production from a defensive lineman, even for prospects considered late-round picks or priority free agents.
Additionally, Jackson didn't earn particularly high overall grades, according to Pro Football Focus. Over the past three seasons, Jackson never topped a PFF grade of over 75.0.
But what Jackson lacks in production and pass-rush ability, he makes up for with a long, powerful frame and the ability to stop the run.
Jackson is a stout run defender who can two-gap and use his length to control the line of scrimmage. This often results in his teammates staying clean and making plays on the ball carrier. His 8.9 percent run-stop rate is impressive, as is his 81.3 run defense grade from 2025.
Fortunately for Pittsburgh, a quality rotational run defender is just what this team needs. While Jackson's tape is nothing to write home about, his remarkable combination of size, length, and strength is expected to get him drafted on Day 2, possibly as early as the second round.
Meanwhile, the Steelers currently have four picks on Day 2—pick No. 53, No. 76 (via Dallas), No. 85, and No. 99 (compensatory). With so many selections in Jackson's projected draft range, nobody will be surprised if this second-generation NFL prospect winds up on the Pittsburgh Steelers' roster after the 2026 NFL Draft.