2022 Chiefs Draft Prospect: D’Marco Jackson

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NAME: D’Marco Jackson

POSITION: Linebacker

SCHOOL: Appalachian State

HEIGHT: 6′

WEIGHT: 233 pounds

CAREER BACKGROUND

A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, D’Marco Jackson attended Broome High School. He played both running back and linebacker in high school. As a senior in 2016, Jackson rushed for over 3,000 yards, allowing him to earn 2016 Palmetto Back of the Year honors. He was also named the Herald Journal Defensive Player of the Year and the Blitz Linebacker of the Year for his defensive efforts during that senior season. Overall, Jackson finished his high school career with over 400 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and eight interceptions. He was named Broome High School MVP in both 2015 and 2016. Finally, Jackson was a four-time selection for both all-area and all-academic honors. 247Sports rated him as a two-star recruit.

Slow Start

As a true freshman in 2017, Jackson took a redshirt, before making appearances the following season. He appeared in all 13 games in 2018. Jackson split time between inside linebacker and special teams. In total, he had 25 tackles, two tackles for loss, one quarterback hurry and one pass breakup. 2019 saw Jackson appear in all 14 games, along with making six starts. He finished fifth on the team in tackles that season (60). Furthermore, Jackson had 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups, one quarterback hurry and one touchdown on a blocked punt return.

Best In The Sun Belt

Jackson secured a full-time starting role on the Appalachian State defense in 2020. He did so in all 12 games. He registered 91 tackles (tied for the team lead), 6.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, four quarterback hurries, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and one fumble recovery. In fact, Jackson was the only FBS player to have at least 90 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions in 2020. He went on to earn second team All-Sun Belt honors that year.

In 2021, Jackson was once again a starter for all 14 games, while also becoming a team captain. He tallied 120 tackles, 27 quarterback pressures, 19 tackles for loss, six sacks, five pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble. Jackson earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors for 2021. More impressively, he was named as the 2021 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year.

SCOUTING REPORT

Instead of listing positives and negatives for traits, this year we will be listing the best trait of each prospect and work our way down to the biggest area of improvement/absent trait(s), from top to bottom.

Football IQ

The read and react ability of this linebacker is seemingly something that his defense can always count on. This is true against both the run and the pass. For example, teams that ran outside runs, whether via a speed option or via a pitch, were often thwarted by the run and chase instincts of Jackson. He also displayed superb foot and eye discipline. Against the pass, Jackson remained keyed on the quarterback and was rarely shook by items like pump fakes. He did well to not get caught solely watching the ball in those moments too. In addition, Jackson proved that he could crash downhill or burst to rush the passer, once he saw a slight sign of what was coming by the quarterback or ball carrier. His timing is simply impeccable.

Tackling

Jackson is mainly a violent and powerful hitter and tackler. However, it may not always look that way on tape. He is rather reserved when pursuing the football. But in the end, Jackson’s tackle attempts are brought with plenty of force and explosiveness. He can provide this from both a wrap up technique and by leading with his shoulder. On top of driving opponents backwards, Jackson has stout body positioning within his tackle attempts. He makes sure to get his chest across the ball carrier’s front hip. Or, Jackson will look to place his shoulder square into the waist of the opponent.

Run Defense

As mentioned earlier, Jackson has the ability to sniff out and diagnose any run play, in any direction. He is most dangerous when triggering downhill. There are a few reasons as to why that is the case. First off, Jackson reads and times up the snap urgently. He is also rather splendid when it comes to deciphering through traffic and getting into run fits. Jackson may seem a bit late to get his motion rolling on some occasions. But overall, he is simply able to reach any and all gaps when moving vertically up the field. In space, there are limitations when it comes to his long speed or change of direction skills. Jackson is still able to provide an impact on runs in space, due to his lateral angles and ability to blow through block attempts.

Pass Coverage

Asking Jackson to cover in man coverage could be a bit risky. However, he is quite impressive as a defender in zone coverage. Jackson simultaneously works to find depth and find a man entering his zone very smooth and comfortably. On the other hand, he uses a controlled backpedal. It may not always be the most rapid when working to reach his landmark. Yet, Jackson is able to explode and burst out of that swiftly, if need be. His sneaky long length allows him to frustrate opposing pass catchers at the catch point as well. Moreover, Jackson displayed solid hand placement and timing when attacking the ball at the receiver’s grasp.

Block Deconstruction

This is an area in which Jackson improved in during the last couple of seasons. He is not going to consistently extend his arms at the point of attack. For example, he will look to outmuscle and run through blockers in certain moments. Jackson does have a couple of different moves that he has been successful with, though. He has a rip and swipe move that allows him to throw blockers to the side. Or, Jackson clings to a minor swim move, where he is able to stack and shed blockers while working to the football.

Versatility

There is not much positional versatility to Jackson’s game, as he would likely be best suited for a MIKE or WILL role. He still provides minor glimpses of versatility when it comes to his usage and play style. He can catch opposing quarterbacks off guard with his subtle blitz attempts. His short area burst and closing speed was more apparent in that area last season. On the other hand, Jackson can lean on his size and power to work in the dirty areas throughout different parts of the field.

Lateral Mobility

Jackson can often run out of gas when having to chase laterally. This is especially true when the linebacker is forced to work on backside pursuit. Meanwhile, he can be a bit slow with his footwork when needing to change directions. It is not that he fails to give effort. But, Jackson eventually has a more upright frame, if a play extends in space. The same thing can be said if he is not continually allowed to work downhill.

Flexibility

Beyond the lack of smoothness in his change of direction skills, Jackson is rather stiff when it comes to his core and lower half. He has struggled to maintain that adequate foot and eye discipline when being forced to turn or contort his body. On top of that, Jackson becomes hand cuffed when he is unable to take direct tracks toward the ball carrier or the football. One should not confuse that with his ability to work through traffic and while he is in coverage.

CHIEFS FIT

The impact that Ben Niemann made was extremely minimal for the Kansas City Chiefs. But at the same time, his role held a serviceable part inside Steve Spagnuolo‘s defense. His ability to cover and play in space in both a weakside and subpackage role allowed for other Chiefs linebackers to stick to their main responsibilities. Perhaps, someone like D’Marco Jackson could fill a similar role, while possibly providing more stability. He has so much appeal in all three phases, from a stout run defender, to an instinctual pass defender, and even to an occasional blitzer. Jackson could also be somebody who wears some of Kansas City’s top hats on certain special teams units. In all, he could add a change of pace to the top names of Nick Bolton, Willie Gay and newcomer Jermaine Carter Jr.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs draft prospect profiles throughout this spring. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.