Safe Pick: Ohio State G Jonah Jackson could by Day 3 starter

Draft analysts say this isn’t a great year for interior linemen.

There are no Quenton Nelson’s or Garrett Bradbury’s in the draft, but you can still find a guard or a center in the later rounds who could eventually turn into a starter.

That includes Jonah Jackson, a 6-foot-3, 306-pound guard who has some positional flexibility.

Jackson already enjoyed a solid career at Rutgers prior to becoming a graduate transfer at Ohio State. He earned All-Conference honorable mention honors in 2018 after starting 11 games at right guard. The year before, Jackson started three games at center and two at RG.

Jackson picked up where he left off after the transfer to Ohio State, earning third-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-Conference honors, starting 14 games at left guard.

Jackson won’t blow anyone away with his measurements, nor does he possess any elite traits, which are among the reasons why he is low on some analysts’ draft rankings.

Instead, all Jackson does is perform at a high level.

From Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus in one of his Senior Bowl practice reports:

“Jackson might be the only offensive lineman in attendance this week to not have a convincing loss in the one-on-ones. His independent hand usage has been nothing short of elite this week. The ability to latch and not let go is something that you love to see from an interior lineman. His build may not be the most impressive, but the tape is.”

Barely seeing any OG being mocked in top 3 rounds. If that’s how it shakes out then teams with OG need will get capable rookie starters like Ben Bredeson (Michigan), Logan Stenberg (Kentucky), John Simpson (Clemson), & Jonah Jackson (Ohio St.) in Round 4.#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/xwNxQawNZD

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 25, 2020

Renner then moved up Jackson to No. 35 in his post-Combine rankings.

“Jackson was quite clearly the most technically advanced pass protector in attendance at the Senior Bowl. His short sets are a thing of beauty. He may not ‘wow’ like some of the more physical guards in the class, but he consistently gets the job done.”

Jackson likely won’t hear his name called until Day 2, at the earliest, but his consistency and positional flexibility make him a relatively safe pick, regardless of the round he’s selected.

Jake Rigdon (jake@sydwriting.com) covers the NFL draft for Fanspeak and the On The Clock, which is the only NFL draft simulator that allows you to customize and use your own big board while giving you control over trades.

Jonah Jackson built like a Martini glass but hands are as good as anyone in this class pic.twitter.com/fPSvktrf17

— PFF (@PFF) February 22, 2020