Packers: 3 Replacements for Corey Linsley in 2021 NFL Draft
3. Drake Jackson – Kentucky
Jackson is a player whose performance at the Senior Bowl might have flown under the radar of most but should not have gone unnoticed by NFL teams looking for a potential steal on the interior of the line. While his best fit is evidently at center, Jackson showed some versatility in also holding up at guard during the week of practice in Mobile, where he consistently shone in pass protection drills.
An excellent fit for offenses that run West Coast systems, Jackson has the athletic ability to operate very effectively in space and heads to the NFL with a resume that every interior offensive line prospect would be proud of.
Playing in 47 games in the SEC, including 44 consecutive starts at center, Jackson logged 1,189 pass-block snaps in his collegiate career according to Pro Football Focus and gave up just one sack in his time with the Wildcats.
The odds of him enjoying such dominance at the highest level in the spot are extremely slim, however, the dependability Jackson has shown in what is regarded as college football’s elite conference, combined with his athletic talents and a strong week against the top seniors in Mobile should have him firmly on the radar of Green Bay.
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Not anticipated to be selected until day three of the draft, Jackson is a player who appears primed to reward the team savvy enough to put their faith in him. If the Packers do not address center earlier in the draft, they should try to make sure they are that franchise.