Dallas Cowboys 2025 draft scouting report: DE Landon Jackson

We proceed our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that would curiosity the Dallas Cowboys. Right this moment we’re taking a look at defensive finish Landon Jackson from Arkansas.

DE
Arkansas Razorbacks
Senior
4-star recruit
6’6”
264 lbs

Historical past

Landon Jackson, born on January 2, 2003, in Texarkana, Texas, attended Nice Grove Excessive Faculty. Whereas in highschool he amassed over 45 profession sacks, together with 17 throughout his junior 12 months, incomes him the Texas Sports activities Writers Affiliation 4A Defensive Participant of the 12 months award.

In 2021, Jackson started his collegiate profession at LSU, showing in 5 video games totally on particular groups. Looking for higher alternatives and taking part in time, he transferred to Arkansas in 2022.

In his first 12 months with the Razorbacks, Jackson performed in all 13 video games. Regardless of transitioning to a brand new system, he made a right away impression, recording 23 complete tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and three sacks. His means to disrupt performs within the backfield and contribute in opposition to each the run and go earned him elevated taking part in time because the season progressed. One among his standout performances got here in opposition to BYU, the place he registered a season-high 5 tackles and one sack.

Jackson’s junior 12 months in 2023 marked a major development. He began all 12 video games, main the workforce with 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, incomes First-Group All-SEC honors. He delivered an excellent efficiency in opposition to Alabama, registering a career-high with 11 tackles, 4 sacks, and 4 tackles for a loss, which earned him SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week.

Coming into his senior season in 2024, Jackson continued to reveal his defensive prowess, main the Razorbacks in each sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (10). He additionally added 49 complete tackles, and three go deflections. His efficiency earned him Second-Group All-SEC recognition. Following the common season, Jackson participated within the Senior Bowl, the place he recorded two tackles and a strip-sack, additional showcasing his readiness to play within the NFL.

2024 Statistics

645 Defensive Snaps
49 Complete Tackles
10 Tackles For Loss
7 Missed Tackles
33 Defensive Stops
35 Complete Pressures
6.5 Sacks
3 Cross Breakups
1 Pressured Fumble
1 Fumble Restoration
5 Penalties

NFL Mix/Professional Day

10-Yard Break up- 1.65s (72%)
40-Yard Sprint- 4.68s (90%)
Vertical- 40.5” (98%)
Broad- 129” (99%)
3C- 7.13s (82%) PD
Shuttle- 4.55s (46%) PD

Awards

Second-team All-SEC (2024)
First-team All-SEC (2023)

Scorecard

General- 86.7
Velocity- 86
Acceleration- 76
Agility- 79
Power- 90
Tackling- 79
Cross Rush- 72
Run Protection- 89
Protection- 76
Self-discipline- 90

THE GOOD

• A high-motor participant that by no means provides up on the play.
• Demonstrates good block recognition, sustaining self-discipline when unblocked.
• Has an especially robust anchor in opposition to the run, successfully holding the purpose of assault.
• Has elite hand energy and size which allows him to reset the road of scrimmage and management blocks.
• Employs energetic palms and makes use of strikes such because the cross-chop and long-arm to defeat blockers.
• Very efficient at stunting which provides versatility to his pass-rushing.
• Has an enormous wingspan which permits him to interact and disengage from blockers effectively, whereas his body suggests room for extra progress if vital.
• His attain can be seen when grabbing onto ball carriers that suppose they’ve cleared him.
• Jackson’s means to play in a number of defensive fronts showcases his various talent set.

THE BAD

• Jackson doesn’t persistently win with velocity across the edge.
• Attributable to his peak, Jackson generally struggles with sustaining constant leverage, which may diminish his effectiveness in each go rush and run protection.
• Pad stage is a matter and is extraordinarily inconsistent right here.
• Lacks a go-to transfer to disengage from blockers.
• His bull rush is underwhelming for his measurement, usually as a consequence of his pad stage points.
• Solely common bend on the prime of his arc in his go rush.
• Very stiff as a go rusher.

THE FIT

Landon Jackson’s mix of measurement, energy, and growing approach positions him as a promising prospect on this 12 months’s draft class. He possesses a powerful body, lengthy arms (33¼ inches), and a stable wingspan (82¾ inches), making him an excellent match for an edge rusher in both an odd and even entrance. He’s a high-effort, high-floor defensive finish prospect with robust run protection expertise and stable pass-rushing potential.

If he can enhance his get-off, pass-rush repertoire, and adaptability, he has the potential to develop right into a reliable three-down defensive finish on the NFL stage. He’s projected as a second-round choose with the potential to change into a dependable contributor in each run protection and pass-rushing conditions.

Jackson could be a robust match for the Dallas Cowboys, given their want for extra depth and flexibility alongside the defensive position, notably on the sting. He has the perfect body and talent set to contribute as a rotational defensive finish, notably in early-down conditions the place his run-stopping means may shine.

His means to set the sting in opposition to the run would assist enhance a Dallas protection that has struggled closely in opposition to bodily speeding assaults up to now. Whereas he doesn’t have elite velocity off the sting, his size, energy, and excessive motor align properly with the Cowboys’ defensive philosophy, and he may develop right into a dependable rotational participant with starter upside. With teaching, refining his pass-rush strikes may make him a helpful Day 2 choice, giving Dallas a long-term piece for his or her defensive finish scenario.

COMPARISON:

Zach Allen, Denver Broncos

BTB GRADE:

54th

CONSENSUS RANKING:

forty fourth
(Consensus rating primarily based on the typical rating from 90 main scoring companies, together with BTB)