Landon Jackson NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Arkansas Edge

HEIGHT: 6'6"
WEIGHT: 273
HAND: 10"
ARM: 33¼”
WINGSPAN: 83⅝”
40-YARD DASH: 4.68
3-CONE: 7.13
SHUTTLE: 4.55
VERTICAL: 40.5"
BROAD: 10'9"
POSITIVES
— Great length and size for an NFL defensive end. He has room for growth on his frame too if need be.
— As a run defender, he's physical at the point of attack and takes on blocks with decent leverage for a tall player.
— Strength and length allow him to get extension against offensive tackles and set the edge.
— Good block recognition and recognizes when he's unblocked to stay tight to the line of scrimmage.
— Has active hands as a pass-rusher to help "defeat the hands, defeat the man"
— Good cross-chop and long-arm moves that he can win with.
— Effective on line games/stunts, he has decent agility to avoid losing ground while working laterally as the looper and his physicality helps get offensive linemen off-balance as the pick player.
— High motor as a pass-rusher.
NEGATIVES
— A little robotic with his movement, not quick or very athletic.
— Lacks acceleration off the line of scrimmage to win with speed around the edge despite the good 40-yard dash time.
— Bull rush is underwhelming for his size. His pad level rises when rushing the passer.
— Bend at the top of the rush is just average.
— Not a violent block shedder and doesn't have a move to get off blocks at the next level consistently.
— Hand placement can be a little wide as a run defender.
NOTES
— Born Jan. 2, 2003
—4-star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports
— 2023 First-Team All-SEC
— Transferred from LSU ahead of the 2022 season
— Injuries: 2018 (torn ACL, high school), 2020 (broken ankle, high school missed games), 2021 (leg, missed time at LSU)
OVERALL
The first thing that stands out about Landon Jackson is his size as he certainly looks the part of an NFL defensive end. Even better, he carries his frame well and has room for growth if a team wants to add some weight to him.
Jackson is a pretty good run defender. He has the strength and length to lock out offensive tackles and set the edge. Also, he shows decent block recognition to consistently be in the right spot and is physical when taking on pullers. He needs to improve at getting off blocks by being more violent when shedding or developing a move to escape.
As a pass rusher, the Razorback is technically sound. He uses his hands well and has a couple of solid moves with a cross-chop and long-arm. However, he is robotic and stiff which could impact his ability to get pressure at the next level.
Jackson isn't quick-twitched and lacks some lateral movement skills which makes it difficult for him to set up his pass-rush moves and win around the edge. Additionally, his hips are a little tight which hinders his ability to clear his lower half and get clean wins as a rusher. Right now, he's pretty reliant on his use of hands and motor to get sacks and pressures.
Overall, the Arkansas product has the makings of being a solid every-down contributor as a traditional defensive end in even fronts or a 4i- to 5-technique in odd fronts. He may not be a perennial Pro Bowler/All-Pro who consistently gets double-digit sacks, but he can be a plus starter teams can win within the NFL.
GRADE: 7.5 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)
OVERALL RANK: 54
POSITION RANK: EDGE9
PRO COMPARISON: Carl Nassib
Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder
Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.