With The First Pick
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5 2020 NFL Draft prospects who could be surprise first round picks

By Cory Kinnan

DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 12: Neville Gallimore #90 of the Oklahoma Sooners wears the Golden Hat trophy after defeating the Texas Longhorns 34-27 during the 2019 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 12, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - OCTOBER 12: Neville Gallimore #90 of the Oklahoma Sooners wears the Golden Hat trophy after defeating the Texas Longhorns 34-27 during the 2019 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 12, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: JT Daniels #18 of the USC Trojans reacts with Vavae Malepeai #29 and Austin Jackson #73 after a stop on third down by the UCLA Bruins defense during the first half at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: JT Daniels #18 of the USC Trojans reacts with Vavae Malepeai #29 and Austin Jackson #73 after a stop on third down by the UCLA Bruins defense during the first half at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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Austin Jackson OT

USC Trojans Football
USC Trojans Football /

Scouting Report

This tackle class keeps getting more wild by the day. At first it was just Andrew Thomas and Tristan Wirfs, then Jedrick Wills came onto the scene as Lucas Niang has gotten hurt and Prince Tega Wanogho still looks technically raw. Now USC’s Austin Jackson has begun climbing in the ranks; If Tytus Howard can go in the first round, then Jackson can be a top five pick.

Not really, just exaggerating the reach that Howard was. However, as the 6-6 and 310 pound Jackson keeps playing well, the more likely he is to hear his name called in the first round; he may actually be the least surprising of the names on this list to make it into the top 32 picks. There seems to be a ton of offensive line struggles across the league, so seeing more than three (Thomas, Wirfs, Wills) go in the first round.

Seeing significant playing time as a freshman, Jackson started every game for the Trojans a year ago, and has started every game at left tackle this year for USC as well. Jackson, should more than three offensive tackles get taken in the first round of the draft, could very well end up being the fourth offensive tackle off the board in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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