Vikings

Donovan Jackson’s 2025 Great NFL Draft Stock

Kevin Sweeney

Donovan Jackson will likely be a first-round pick and a first-year starter at offensive guard for any team that drafts him. Donovan Jackson may be the second or third Ohio State Buckeye drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. Projections have him going as high as No. 13 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or as low as No. 27 to the Detroit Lions. Expect him to get drafted in the middle of the first round. Jackson is a 6’4″, 320-pound offensive lineman from Texas. It is not exciting, but would you like your favorite team to draft an offensive lineman?

Donovan Jackson’s Statistics

Jackson has been turning heads since his high school days in Bellaire, Texas. A consensus five-star recruit out of high school, He dominated at Episcopal High School, showcasing his prowess not only on the gridiron but also in field events in track and field. The beefy Jackson excelled at the throwing events, and his talent caught the eye of many top programs, but the Buckeyes were lucky enough to get his commitment.

As a Buckeye, Jackson wasted no time making an impact. He played in all 13 games as a true freshman and was the starting left guard at Ohio State for the next two seasons. Jackson’s performances earned him back-to-back first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022 and 2023. His decision to return for his senior year was a great aspect of his makeup and should appeal to National Football League (NFL) teams who will value his commitment and desire to win a championship.

Jackson is just as impressive off the field. He is a three-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree; Donovan has shown the mental acuity that NFL teams covet. Particularly impressive is his sacrifice on the field. When injuries forced a shuffling of the offensive line at Ohio State, he moved from guard to tackle and played that spot admirably. He is not as big as the NFL likes tackles, so he will probably play guard professionally.

Troy Fautanu
Mar 3, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu (OL19) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagen Images

Strengths

Jackon will likely be a professional football player for a long time, so the team that drafts him is making a long-term investment. In particular, NFL teams will love his intelligence and desire.  Here are his strengths, according to NFL Draft Buzz.

  • Imposing frame with ideal mass (320 lbs.) and leverage, coupled with exceptional arm length, providing an elite power base for the position,
  • Explosive first step off the snap, displaying elite athleticism that allows him to reach the second level with ease in run blocking,
  • Demonstrates overwhelming knock-back power at the point of attack, consistently driving defenders off the line of scrimmage,
  • He exhibits superior anchoring ability in pass protection, effectively neutralizing power rushers with his core and lower body strength,
  • Showcases excellent lateral mobility, effortlessly mirroring and redirecting against quick interior defenders in pass pro,
  • Utilizes a wide base and tight hand placement in pass sets, creating a synergetic blocking technique that’s difficult to penetrate,
  • Displays high football IQ, particularly in picking up stunts and looping rushers, rarely caught out of position,
  • He brings a physical, finishing mentality to his blocks, consistently looking to pancake defenders and set a tone in the trenches.

There is some history of Ohio State offensive linemen getting drafted by the NFL, so Jackson hopes to take advantage of that.

Weaknesses

Jackson appears impervious, but he does have some weaknesses that could hinder his progress as a professional. They are few. Again, according to NFL Draft Buzz.

  • Occasionally fails to fully harness his explosiveness out of his stance, leading to suboptimal pad level and leverage issues,
  • He can get caught playing too high in space, negatively impacting his ability to sustain blocks on the move,
  • Hand placement can be inconsistent at times, leading to grabbing and wrapping instead of striking through the target,
  • He displays some hip stiffness when redirecting in space, potentially limiting his effectiveness on pulls and screens,
  • He lacks significant positional versatility and is likely confined to guard at the next level without tackle or center experience.

Jackson seems to have relatively few weaknesses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Donovan Jackson has a lot of strengths and very few weaknesses. Some NFL team is likely going to make him a first-round selection. He is going to be a professional football player for a long time.

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