Darrell Jackson has the classic “first guy off the bus” look. He’s 6-foot-5 and, even at a slimmed down 315 pounds, Jackson is a massive presence.

There is his considerable 86-inch wingspan — more than seven feet. One draft analyst, the Athletic’s Dane Brugler, referenced his long arms and the “wingspan of an aircraft carrier,” far exceeding the majority of the defensive tackles in the 2026 NFL draft.

There is what Jackson has shown in games at FSU. He can stuff the run but also hasn’t been able to push the pocket upfield and pressure the quarterback, something he did just 14 times in 2025. Jackson is also viewed as a leader, albeit a quiet one.

All of which has made projecting where Jackson will be selected in the seven-round NFL draft, which begins with the first round on Thursday and continues into Friday and Saturday, very difficult for an all-world body and talent without the all-around film. Perhaps this is also why Jackson dropped 20 pounds from his weight last fall of 335.

NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who spent time in the front office of a few pro teams, ranked his top 150 players in the draft. Jackson is not listed, and it’s notable that Jeremiah included 14 defensive tackles.

Another writer at NFL.com, Chad Reuter, has Jackson slotted at No. 84 in the third round to Green Bay in his seven-round mock draft.

ESPN has projected Jackson to Kansas City at No. 74 and No. 99 to Pittsburgh in two of its mock drafts. Comments from two writers:

“Jackson fits the Steelers' prototype, as he's a massive first-level defender who can play in a multiple-front defense and has the power to withstand at the point of attack.”

“Defensive tackle is one of the weakest positions on the Chiefs' roster, and Jackson is a big presence whose flashes could lead to a heavy number of snaps right away.”

Brugler has Jackson listed among his top 10 defensive tackles. After publishing a 600-page PDF on NFL Draft prospects, including a few pages on Jackson, Brugler’s succinct closing analysis shows the difficulty in the projection but also why he will be selected.

“Overall, Jackson might never develop into a playmaker, but he has larger-than-life traits to do the dirty work at nose and occasionally pressure the quarterback,” Brugler writes. “He plays big in a big-man’s game — and there is always room for that type of player in the NFL.”

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