2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Donovan Jackson (OG – Ohio State)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Donovan Jackson

Donovan Jackson (OG – Ohio State)

6-foot-4 | 320 Pounds

Background

A five-star recruit who rotated in a little bit in 2021 before taking over the starting left guard job the following year. Donovan Jackson allowed two sacks and nine pressures that year, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). He reprised his role in 2023 and cut those figures to one and eight, respectively.

Started at left guard this season (five games) before replacing Josh Simmons at left tackle for the remainder of the season. Ended up allowing two sacks and 12 pressures in total, both sacks and 10 of the pressures come at tackle.

Positives

A three-year starter for a major program with three years of starting experience between guard and tackle. A very thickly built player with good distribution. Fires out of his stance low and with some explosiveness, showing good leverage. Tough, physical player who is a handful to deal with on contact. Works hard to sustain through the whistle. Does a nice job of staying within his frame and not lunging or getting off-balance.

Jackson knows how to generate torque with his upper body. Assignment-versatile; able to chip and climb, and also shows the ability to pull across the formation and line up opponents on power concepts. Understands positioning and has enough power and short-area quickness to wall off defenders. Looks light on his feet in pass protection, with good knee-bend and balance and solid lateral quickness.

Actively keeps Jackson’s head on a swivel and seeks out chances to help. Actively fires out his punch, and has good power in his hands to jolt opponents. Needs to be beat with quickness off the line, as he drops an early anchor against power. Has done a good job of limiting penalties throughout his career, being flagged a total of 10 times (including two declined) over four seasons.

Negatives

Height is on the borderline of what some teams look for in a tackle, so measurements will be important. Doesn’t appear to have the most length either, which can make it difficult for him to get into the pads of longer opponents who play with good extension.

Jackson can sometimes have trouble dealing with quick gap-shooting penetrators off the line. Tough and physical, but the amount of push he generates can vary, as his legs occasionally stop after contact. His play at tackle was a bit up and down this year, and may have trouble protecting the edge against speed.

Summary

A tough, consistent, assignment-sound lineman with excellent bulk and functional strength for a pro offensive lineman, traits which will get him early consideration on Draft Day.

While Jackson may not be quite as dominant in a phone booth as his size would suggest, he sets a physical tone, understands positioning and works hard to stay connected through the snap. Likely to be viewed as more of a guard candidate, which better matches his frame and experience. He should come off the board by the mid-second round.

Projection: Round 2

Check out all of our 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports