Landon Jackson Presses the Pocket

Arkansas’ Landon Jackson is the most dependable edge in the 2025 NFL Draft.

He’s not the flashiest on the board, but he is the most consistent. Two seasons in a row, Jackson has reminded me of two of the more prolific pass rushers in NFL history.

Who am I talking about? Who does he remind me of?

Preston Smith

Bryce Paup

Those are the two names that went through my head when I watched his game film in 2023 and 2024, and yes, I’m old enough to remember Paup. Smith was Washington’s second-round pick in 2015 and he has since played for Green Bay and Pittsburgh logging over 70 career sacks. Paup is more old-school and was the sixth-round selection of the Packers back in 1990. He spent time also in Buffalo, Jacksonville, and Minnesota and logged 75 career sacks.

When people look back on NFL history, their names will not be the first names people think of, but both Smith and Paup rank in the top 110 on the all-time sack leader’s board.

Not too shabby.

That’s the kind of career I see Jackson having.

Those eyes

Nothing says defense like Jackson’s cold eyes.

It’s the first thing I noticed about him when I began watching him on film last season and it’s the first thing I noticed when I started watching him again.

He’s got that look.

Jackson brings it

What he lacks in hip flexibility he makes up for with natural brute power.

Point blank ⎯Jackson is a handful for blockers. Whether he’s attacking from the perimeter of the pocket, or he slips into an inside gap, Jackson’s presence is felt by the offense he’s facing. He’s just got that to him.

Because of his lack of natural bend, Jackson plays at a high pad level, which gets him neutralized too often (much to my chagrin). However, because he’s so darn bloodthirsty, he finds a way to muddy the pocket. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Jackson could’ve coined that saying. Second-third efforts are the norm…and there he goes again chasing the quarterback who’s running for his life.

Don’t have to worry about Jackson backhanding his paycheck.

Oh no, he’ll chase down outside screens and the back or receiver who caught it ⎯and hammer him.

Persistent. Relentless. Tenacious.

2024: 7.0 sacks, 8 quarterback hits, 20 quarterback hurries, and 3 batted balls.

You get the idea.

Run defense

Jackson is a three-defender who plays the run with the same intensity as he rushes the passer.

While he could use some work getting off blocks, he still managed to hold his own in this department. Heck, I even liked him better as a run defender than I do as a pass rusher and I really like him as a pass rusher.

2024: 49 tackles, 27 solo, 22 assists, 10 tackles for loss.

Best trait?

Jackson is disciplined – to a fault.

What does that mean?

It means he will stay true to the way the Xs and Os are drawn up even if the play is going in another direction.

Some NFL coach will love that about him.

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

Daniel Kelly’s Final 2025 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

M (Medical Risk): Neck injury

Projected by 23.8% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of February 16, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Arkansas Edge Rusher Landon Jackson Receives Big NFL Comp (2023: 8 games evaluated)

2024 game film evaluated: Arkansas Pine-Bluff, Oklahoma State, UAB, Auburn, Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Texas, Louisiana Tech, and Missouri (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Persistent and consistent prospect with long arms. Fits traditional edge or 3-4 OLB scheme. Hand in the dirt or stands up pre-snap. Opportunistic. Active. Doesn’t give up. Good motor. Active hands at the point of attack. Noticeable stiffness. Big windmill swim pass rush move. Additionally shows slap and spin moves. Above average playing speed and good short-area acceleration closing. Builds strong momentum. Crash the party power. Good pursuit on the perimeters. Inconsistent tackler.

Final words

Jackson is a force to be reckoned with.

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.