The 2026 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Darrell Jackson NFL Draft Profile.
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Position: Interior Defensive Line
School: Florida State
Size: 6-foot-5 1/2, 315 pounds
Class: Senior
2025 stats: 45 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack
Jackson was a three-star recruit in the class of 2021 who signed with Maryland out of Florida. He played a bit as a freshman and totaled 22 tackles. In 2022, he transferred to Miami, playing well with 27 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He decided to transfer to Florida State in 2023 and redshirted. For the 2024 season, he was Honorable Mention All-ACC with 32 total tackles, four tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He helped the team win 10 games that season. In 2025, he racked up 45 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. He led the team to the National Championship Game before the season ended in a loss.
Following the season, Jackson has been preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a mid-round pick.
Jackson has good size for an interior defensive lineman. He measured in at 6-foot-5.5 inches and 315 pounds at the NFL Combine. With his size, he has good play strength, which specifically helps him shed one-on-one blocks. He has great length with 34.75-inch arms. With his length and strength, he has plenty of potential if he can improve his technique.
His specialty right now is run defense. Jackson can beat one-on-one blocks to make his fair share of tackles, especially for an interior defensive lineman. When he is double-teamed, he can handle it at times because of his good power, which frees up others to make tackles and helps the team overall.
As a pass rusher, he won’t offer a ton of value, but he can bull rush. Jackson uses his strength and length to push interior offensive linemen back into the pocket. While he doesn’t always get to the quarterback for a sack, he can change the pocket and make the quarterback move.
While the bull rush is nice, Jackson isn’t a great option to rush the passer. He needs to work on adding moves to his arsenal along with some counters. Having a better pass rush plan and differentiating from just bull rushing will make him harder to block and prepare for each game.
Jackson stands too upright too often. He loses the leverage battle because his pad level gets too high. Jackson is bigger, but he needs to do his best to stay low to retain his power. This will help him shed against the run and push the pocket better as a rusher.
He has the capability to take on double teams, but it is inconsistent. His pad level staying low can help, but he can also have better anchor strength to hold his spot. If he adds strength and fixes his technique he could be more consistent in taking on double teams.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Draft Grade: Fourth Round Pick
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