RD 2 (37th): Austin Jackson – OT, USC
While it isn’t Wirfs, Wills, Jackson, or Becton like I wanted, Austin Jackson is still a top-5 tackle prospect on most draft expert boards. Most boards have either Jackson or Houston’s Josh Jones as the fifth-best tackle prospect in the draft. I was leaning Jones with the pick, but unfortunately, he was selected by the general manager of the Miami Dolphins with the 30th pick.
Despite not getting Jones, I don’t think the drop off is that massive between him and Jackson. At 6’6″ and 310-pounds Jackson certainly has room to add mass and strength. His strength has been a bit of a knock on him but the former highly recruited 5-star recruit out of USC is more than capable of developing into a franchise left tackle for the Giants.
He is still a bit raw and needs to develop his technique when he gets to the NFL level, but his athleticism is impressive for a man of his size and he is solid in pass protection. Jackson would be an ideal candidate to battle Nick Gates, Cam Fleming, and Nate Solder for the starting tackle positions. Given Jackson’s pedigree, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him come into Giants camp and win the starting left tackle position.
With a defensive playmaker, a starting center and a likely starter at tackle in the fold, I felt it was time to turn my attention to a glaring need for pass rushers, an area that Dave Gettleman and the New York Giants failed to address in the offseason.
With the 99th overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected: