Arkansas Edge Rusher Landon Jackson Receives Big NFL Comp

If there was ever a face and a look that said “I want to crush you,” it would be the face and look of Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson.

That was my first impression.

No question, this guy looks the part.

But can he play it?

The answer is yes.

This Arkansas defender played like he was possessed against Alabama (3.5 sacks).

Jackson is one of those disciplined defensive cornerstone stalwarts who makes his share of high-impact plays. He’s the type of prospect that ends up in a 3-4 (three down lineman and four linebacker) NFL defensive scheme and poses as someone who can never be ignored by an offensive game plan.

I’m not making this stuff up ⎯overall in 2023, Jackson logged 44 tackles (22 solo), 6.5 sacks, and one pass defended with that large wingspan he has. In addition, he produced 10 quarterback hurries.

This line stands by itself ⎯14 tackles for a loss.

Sometimes he stands up and sometimes he puts his hand down in the dirt pre-snap, and they flopped him from side-to-side, so he could test opposing offensive tackles and do his thing.

NFL comp

Preston Smith was a second-round selection of the Washington Redskins in 2015 and 10 seasons later after an additional stop in Green Bay and now with the Steelers, he’s had a strong career.

Smith currently ranks No. 112 all-time with 69.5 (and counting) sacks.

Why am I bringing him up?

Because that’s the name that went through my mind while studying Jackson. Only, Smith (six-foot-five) is two inches shorter than Jackson.

Tell me more about how Jackson looks on game film

Jackson is disciplined to a fault.

Why’s that a negative?

I’m not saying it is, but it makes him look less effective sometimes.

How do I know that?

Because of all the plays when he blows up the pocket or blows up a running play, he has it in him. He’s an opportunist who’s always looking for a way to get to the quarterback.

As a run defender, he makes his presence felt and he will hunt and chase out to the sidelines. At the very least, he ends up in position around the pile and yes, he makes his fair share of devastating hard-wrapping tackles.

Heck, they even dropped him into coverage occasionally where he did a solid job.

NFL crystal ball

Jackson has Packers, Steelers, or Ravens written all over him. I can see him being low-hanging fruit for one of these playoff-rich teams.

He’s a presence.

Initially, I thought of him as a second-round prospect, but the more I watched him, the more he grew on me.

#40 Landon Jackson 6-foot-7, 280 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 Fall Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 21.3% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 23, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2023 game film evaluated: BYU, LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Alabama, Mississippi State, Florida, and Missouri (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Tall lumbering athletic defensive prospect with above-average straight-line football speed and some noticeable rigidity in his movements. Spot duty at defensive tackle. Not naturally explosive at the point of attack. Naturally strong. Good effort. Inconsistent quick and violent hands. Limited pass rush move usage. Flashed spin and slap and go. Likes to either win the edge and dip under the offensive tackles’ pad level to disrupt the pocket or flow through the inside gaps. Loves stunting inside or he just does delayed reads and bursts in. Best with it lined up. Showed short-area close. Seemed more comfortable coming off his right side. Run defense is important to him. Inconsistent shedding blocks. Played a lot of schematic contain.

What to watch for during the 2024 college football season

1. Pass rush production?

2. Pass rush moves?

3. Does he look comfortable coming off both the left and right side?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.