Washington Football Team Mock Draft: Bye week mock sees team take two QBs

Round 5

Alaric Jackson, OT/OG, Iowa – 6-6, 320

Immediately following the 2019 college football season, many draft analysts, football pundits, and fans were convinced that Alaric Jackson was entering the 2020 NFL draft.  Jackson received second-round grades and some third-round nods as well.  Occasionally, an early mock would place Jackson late in the first round.

Jackson decided to return for another year to the Hawkeyes and he is now rated mostly as a fourth to sixth-round prospect.  What happened?

Jackson is a solid left tackle for the Hawkeyes, but he plays a bit stiff and his talent is much more suited to right tackle or either guard position.  Quality edge rushers usually are quick to gain an advantage on Jackson, but he is more than able to hold his own in the rushing and passing offense at right tackle or on the inside.

In other words, you are not drafting a left tackle here.  You are drafting a solid offensive lineman who can play three other positions on the line and do so very effectively.

If Brandon Scherff departs via free agency in the offseason, Jackson is a player who could flourish at right guard.  At the very least, he would be a very solid depth addition to the offensive line.  Jackson still has the talent that led analysts to rate him highly last year.  He is still that player, just not at the left tackle position.  Otherwise, drafting him here would be an excellent value for the WFT.