The Denver Broncos didn’t experience many departures from their squad in free agency, but their biggest loss was John Franklin-Myers who signed a lucrative contract with the Tennessee Titans. They have several players, such as Eyioma Uwazurike and Sai’vion Jones in-house that will get the first chance to replace his reps. Though they may also have their eye on prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft to continue to keep their defensive line strong.
One player for Broncos Country to keep their eye on is Florida
State prospect Darrell Jackson Jr. Prior to spending the past several seasons with the Seminoles, Jackson Jr. spent a season at both Maryland and Miami. The past two years, he became a focal point in Florida State’s defensive and flashed some big play ability, but his game-to-game consistency was hit or miss.
However, he has all the traits you can’t teach and could become a force at the next level if he puts it all together. Let’s do a deep dive regarding his strengths and weaknesses, and why and when the Broncos should consider selection him in this year’s draft.
Player Profile: Darrell Jackson Jr. — Defensive Lineman — Florida State
Height: 6’5-1/2” | Weight: 315 pounds | Arm Length: 34-3/4” | Hand Size: 11” | Age: 22 Years Old
No athletic testing during the NFL Combine or at Florida State’s Pro Day.
Statistics: 50 games played (13 at Marlyand, 12 at Miami, 25 at Florida State) with 129 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks. and 1 forced fumble.
Film Room & Highlights
Hart’s Scouting Report
Positives:
- Elite size and strength that can’t be taught which NFL coaches are going to covet
- Three years of starting experience with over 1,700 total defensive snaps
- Versatile defensive lineman who has played multiple spots on the interior of the defensive line, but has the traits to get a shot at 5-technique in a 3-4 defensive scheme
- Will instantly help improve any team’s run defense due to his strength at the point of attack
- Sack totals are low, but generated 42 quarterback pressures during his collegiate career
- Strong finisher and fundamental tackler who rarely lets opposing backs out of his grasp
- Plays with a lot of fire and energy and you don’t have to question his hustle
Negatives:
- Should be a lot better at handling double teams, but his pad level is often too high, and his technique needs a lot of work—though these can be improved with coaching
- Production doesn’t line up with his dominant physical traits
- Can get washed out of running plays that get him moving laterally—doesn’t move as well as one would hope and not doing any athletic testing does raise some concerns
- Snap anticipation and get-off at the line of scrimmage is just average
Hart’s Projection: Top 100 Selection — Late Day 2 Value
Why the Denver Broncos should consider drafting Jackson Jr.
Keeping the foundations of a team strong is just smart team building. That goes for both the offensive and defensive lines. The Broncos have a good five-man rotation of defenders now but should always be thinking about the future in their trenches.
D.J. Jones isn’t getting any younger and Uwazurike is in the last year of his deal. Those two factors may prompt them to consider a developmental defensive line prospect in this year’s draft. That’s one reason I think the Broncos would be in on a player like Jackson Jr.
Rough around the edges, the Florida State standout isn’t the sum of all his parts. However, with proper coaching, his flaws could be corrected. As noted above, his physical traits are rare coming in at the 98th percentile or above in virtually every category. He is a mountain on the interior of the defensive line and has the ability to play in outside alignments given his length and size.
The production doesn’t match the profile. Nevertheless, defensive line coaches are going to be pounding the table in their respective war rooms to get a chance to develop a player like Jackson Jr. The Broncos currently have to selections in the early fourth round that should be close to where he winds up coming off the board.
If available on Day 3, he is certainly someone to consider. The traits are worth the roll of the dice at that point in time. He has a lot of potential but needs to get in the right situation to harness to become a quality starter in the league. I think he would be a good fit in Denver and excel in Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph’s scheme.
