2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Donovan Jackson (OG – Ohio State)

With being more than halfway through the College Football season, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Donovan Jackson.

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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Donovan Jackson

Donovan Jackson (OG – Ohio State)

6’4″ – 320 lbs.

Background:

A five-star recruit who played in a reserve capacity back in 2021, then stepped into the starting left guard role last year. Over 13 games and just over 800 snaps, allowed two sacks, and has reprised that left guard role this year.

Positives:

Very thickly-built guard with two years of starting experience for a major program, and who plays with a physical and hard-working temperament. Length looks above average relative to his height. Background as a five-star recruit is readily apparent from an athletic standpoint. Fires out with explosiveness and a competitive pad level. Has some power in his hands and shows a good level of activity to reset through the snap. Shows very good leg drive after contact to generate push. Smooth, easy climber to the second level, with the ability to engage linebackers while retaining his form and technique.

Despite playing in a relatively demanding offensive scheme, does a nice job of staying within his frame when working in space. Shows good knee bend and a wide base in pass protection, with impressive lateral quickness to slide and mirror. Gets good arm extension to separate from opponents on passing downs. Drops an early anchor to hold the point against power, which comes from having a stable base. Actively seeks out opponents to block when left unopposed on passing downs. Speed, quickness, and agility make him an asset in the screen game.

Negatives:

Depending on his pre-draft workouts, could be slightly shorter than some teams like in their offensive linemen. Not the most overwhelmingly powerful player on contact; competes hard through the whistle, but doesn’t have the explosiveness in his hands of some of the other top guard prospects. The ability to grind down opponents in a phone booth is not quite as impressive as some of the other prospects in the class. Generally plays within his frame, but has some snaps where he gets overly aggressive and ends up lunging in space.

Summary:

Isn’t getting as much recognition as some other guards in this year’s class, but is easily one of the most athletic available, giving him the ability to execute various difficult assignments in a zone-based system like the Buckeyes use. Furthermore, in addition to excellent agility, balance, coordination, and range, also manages to hold his own against power on passing downs, with a thick, solid frame. Has starting-level talent and should come off the board sometime on the second day.

Projection: Round 2