Miami Dolphins: Grading every pick in 2020 NFL Draft
Round 1, Pick 18: Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Grade: C
No matter what, the Miami Dolphins needed a blindside protector. This isn’t just about their future. Ryan Fitzpatrick got destroyed last season, he spent a lot of time in the dirt. The offensive line was terrible but trading away a top left tackle would do that.
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There was a run on tackles early and the Dolphins didn’t look to move up. Chris Grier stayed at No. 18 and selected USC offensive tackle, Austin Jackson.
It’s easy to see why the Dolphins fell in love with Jackson. He’s 6-5, 322 pounds with jaw-dropping athleticism. He’s a good mover with quick feet and a great kickback. The former Trojan slides well and has the quickness to recover from missteps. If he gets stronger, he can kick inside to guard. Jackson pulls well and he’s an ideal fit for the zone-blocking scheme.
A major problem with taking Jackson at No. 18 was the desperate need of an edge rusher and K’Lavon Chaisson was on the board. There was also a better prospect, a plug-and-play guard, Cesar Ruiz available.
Jackson’s a bit of a project at left tackle who lacks the ideal strength or power at the point of attack. Hand placement is erratic and doesn’t handle counters well. He could get in trouble early and will have fans pulling their hair out. But the payoff could be major.