USC Football: Where will Trojans prospects land in 2020 NFL Draft?
OT. 2. Scouting Report. USC. Austin Jackson. player. 13. Pick Analysis
Austin Jackson will be the first USC Trojan off the board in the second round, but don’t be surprised if he goes much higher than this. There will be a run on the second-tier of offensive tackles and Jackson could lead the group.
As a freshman, Jackson was a reserve player and contributed mostly on special teams before moving over to left tackle and starting all 12 games as a sophomore for the Trojans. He stayed on the left side of the line for his junior season and started all 13 games this past season and earning first team all Pac-12 honors in the process.
As someone who watched all of the Trojans’ games this past season, Jackson is a very risky pick. When he was last in action in the Trojans bowl game against Iowa, AJ Epenesa was destroying Jackson on every pass attempt it seemed like and he gave up two sacks. He is very raw but teams love offensive tackles with high upside and he has the size and athleticism you look for in an NFL starter.
The Chargers could take an offensive tackle as high as the sixth overall pick, but I think they will use that selection on a gunslinger and when you pick a franchise quarterback, a franchise tackle usually follows.
Los Angeles will be in position to possibly even trade up for the tackle that they want and with this selection, coupled with trading for Trai Turner and signing Bryan Bulaga, the Chargers may have fixed their offensive line issues that have plagued them for years.
Projection: Second round (No. 37 overall to Chargers)