Saints Draft: Grading the sixth-round selection of Jordan Jackson
With their final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints went with an Air Force defensive tackle in the form of Jordan Jackson, who they spent the 194th overall pick on.
By the later rounds of the draft, teams are just wanting to find developmental players who can eventually turn into a starter or key contributor down the road. Jackson could certainly be that.
The Air Force product had 7.5 sacks during the 2021 season and was a three-year starter while serving as a team captain as well. He missed the 2020 season due to a shoulder injury but came back strong the following year with those aforementioned 7.5 sacks.
Jackson missed the 2020 season because of a shoulder injury, but he was a three-year starter at Air Force Academy. Had a nice season as a pass rusher in 2021, recording 7.5 sacks.
— Luke Johnson (@ByLukeJohnson) April 30, 2022
Saints Draft: What grade does Jordan Jackson pick deserve?
New Orleans has always valued the trenches and they proved that with this late-round pick of Jackson. With David Onyemata and Marcus Davenport both slated to hit free agency next March, it’s smart for the Saints to add as much depth as possible.
The team has plenty of depth already on their defensive line including the likes of Kentavius Street, Albert Huggins, and Malcolm Roach. It’ll be interesting to see how quickly Jackson can climb the DL depth chart.
How Jordan Jackson describes himself as a player: "High motor guy. Always ready to work. Down in, down out always there, reliable. Fast, athletic. Just somebody who’s always there ready to play.” #Saints
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) April 30, 2022
With all of that said, what grade does this pick deserve?
The Saints might not have needed another defensive lineman but I’m not going to knock them for adding to a position that they clearly put a strong emphasis on. Jackson feels like a nice late-round depth piece for NOLA and is someone they can rotate into their d-line.
Ryan Neilsen can mold Jackson into the player the Saints covet on their defensive line and at this point of the draft, if NOLA can get a player who contributes from the sixth-round, that’s a slam-dunk of a pick.
I’ll give this selection a B+ because there were other needs New Orleans could have addressed but at the same time, Jackson might actually be able to make a splash with this defense.
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What grade are you giving the Jordan Jackson pick?