Why Tyree Jackson could be a steal for the Jaguars
Is Tyree Jackson the type of quarterback the Jacksonville Jaguars could gamble on later in the NFL Draft in April?
This year’s 2019 quarterback class appears top heavy, with guys like Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins leading the charge, but there is a quarterback who shined during his senior year with the Buffalo Bulls: Tyree Jackson. Is he on the Jacksonville Jaguars radar?
During his three years with the Bulls, Jackson threw for 6,999 yards and 49 touchdowns. But it was in 2018 when Jackson burst on the scene, with 3131 yards and 28 touchdowns, along with seven rushing touchdowns.
Despite the inflated numbers, Jackson has not garnered much attention due to playing in the MAC. But that changed when Jackson showed up to the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine in February.
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Jackson clocked in the second-fastest 40-yard dash at 4.59. To compare, Cam Newton — a similar style quarterback — ran a 4.56. Jackson also came in at 6’7 and 249 pounds. Those attributes cannot be ignored.
It is widely debated whether or not height is an advantage and indicator for quality quarterbacks — which could be its own story — but Jackson stands out from this at a monstrous 6’7″. Jackson will be the tallest quarterback in the NFL when he enters the league.
Jackson also has a suped-up cannon for an arm, which may be stronger than another quarterback who was widely regarded for his last draft season: Josh Allen.
While Jackson probably won’t be taken in the top 10 like Allen, he matches up with him in a variety of ways like coming from a small school, size, and arm strength.
Many draft boards don’t place Jackson very high, with him potentially being available toward the end of day two and early in day three.
The Jaguars currently have the 69th, 94th and 109th picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, any of which could be used on Jackson.
Drafting Jackson could be a win-win situation for the Jaguars in terms of their current and future windows.
The Jaguars select an offensive lineman, wide receiver, or tight end in the first and second rounds to help Nick Foles and strengthen the current offense.
Jacksonville then drafts Jackson to sit under Foles for two to three years, so when he’s ready to start, guys like Cam Robinson, Dede Westbrook, D.J. Chark, and whoever else the Jaguars draft — Jawaan Taylor, T.J. Hockenson, etc. — help Jackson transition much more easily.
The perks of drafting Jackson include: Having low, if not any national media attention with the team; plenty of time to prepare for his time while Nick Foles leads the team now; and not the typical first-round reach for a quarterback that might not pan out (i.e. Blake Bortles).
Sleeper QB options for the Jaguars. dark. Next
Jaguars general manager, David Caldwell, and vice president of football operations, Tom Coughlin, have shown their determination to win now with the signing of Foles. But, it doesn’t mean they still won’t look to the future by drafting a potential franchise quarterback like Tyree Jackson.