Arrowhead Addict
FanSided

KC Chiefs 2021 Draft: Best interior o-line prospects to protect Patrick Mahomes

By Thomas Welte

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 20: Rashawn Slater #70 of the Northwestern Wildcats looks on during a timeout against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the third quarter on October 20, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Northwestern won 18-15. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 20: Rashawn Slater #70 of the Northwestern Wildcats looks on during a timeout against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the third quarter on October 20, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Northwestern won 18-15. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 12
Next
2021 NFL Draft prospect Drake Jackson
LEXINGTON, KY – OCTOBER 10: Drake Jackson #52 of the Kentucky Wildcats gets set to snap the ball during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kroger Field on October 10, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 24-2. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Drake Jackson, C, Kentucky

Kentucky center Drake Jackson had an impressive 2020 that has him climbing up draft boards. While Jackson is exclusively a center, he has shown enough to be considered on Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft. There is plenty of reason to love Jackson’s game and his upside which could see him blossom into one of the best centers in the NFL.

The most immediate part of Jackson’s play that stands out is his quickness from the snap. Jackson snaps and returns to block so quick there were a few times I thought for sure he had committed a false start. He is an incredibly aggressive center who is not afraid to climb into the second level despite an average athletic profile. Jackson does not surrender much space in pass protection and frequently stonewalled defenders at the line of scrimmage.

There are concerns about Jackson’s build—primarily that his arms may be on the shorter side, even for a center. All of that considered, Jackson possesses excellent football IQ and uses leverage and angles to stymie defenders.

Jackson may be a better fit in the heart of Kansas City’s offensive line than fellow center prospect Creed Humphrey despite being less highly touted. Drake Jackson would challenge Austin Reiter for the starting center spot, and could be an anchor on the line for the next half decade. Right now, Jackson projects as a 3rd or 4th round pick, but it would not surprise me to see a center-needy team grab the Kentucky Wildcat in Round 2 of the 2021 NFL draft.

Home/Kansas City Chiefs Draft