2020 mock draft: Jonathan Taylor, Austin Jackson linked to Chiefs

Austin Jackson, OL, USC

The skinny:

Jackson is a 6’6, 310 lb. left tackle for the Trojans with a high ceiling.

They say:

"“The run on offensive tackles ends here, with the Chiefs getting the young but ultra-talented Jackson, who needs to add weight and strength before he rounds into form.”"

We say:

The Chiefs have been very, very fortunate when it comes to the performance and consistency of their offensive tackles in the last few years.

Mitchell Schwartz has been one of the single biggest free agency steals of the last half-decade, an All-Pro performer who has locked down the right tackle position. Eric Fisher has developed well as a former first round pick who became a Pro Bowler for the first time in 2018. Both players missed time in 2019 for the first time since either joined the Chiefs, an incredible run of health and productivity.

However, Schwartz is now over the age of 30 and Fisher was out several games this year with a groin injury. The Chiefs can ill afford a major injury or drop in performance at such an anchor position given how bare the cupboard is behind both. The Chiefs lack even a solid backup tackle, let alone a developmental one, so the investment in an option like Jackson makes a lot of sense here.

Whether Jackson is the man is up to Chiefs scouts. Jackson is going to be a higher risk prospect with a ceiling that will excite plenty of teams. Either way, it’s important to be aware that tackle could be a higher pick that some casual fans might believe.