The NFL Combine can make some guys a lot of money.
Unfortunately, it can also have the opposite effect. It all just depends on who takes advantage of the opportunity to perform and test well on that stage.
For Jha’Quan Jackson, he might have landed himself in the first group.
Following a great career at Tulane, Jackson continued to put his skills on display at the Combine. At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, his measurements and physical tests didn’t necessarily stand out, but his work during drills, speed, and quickness were noteworthy:
The Combine performance followed another effort at the Senior Bowl which also helped Jackson’s stock rise.
He consistently proved himself in one-on-one situations and showcased what he’s capable of against some of the top defensive backs in the country:
Speed Kills
It was refreshing for Jackson to have good performances at these two events after he missed the final three games of the regular season due to injury.
One of the biggest strengths of his game is his stop-and-go ability. Jackson can get out of a break quicker than you can say break and can stop on a dime. This allows him to create separation and stretch the field vertically, where he often has his defender beat.
He’s just as good after the catch, possessing great vision and awareness. With a 40-yard dash time of 4.42 seconds, he has the speed to outrun angles and break away from the defense.
Jackson’s skill set isn’t just limited to what he can do as a receiver, however. What makes Jackson an attractive prospect is his uniqueness and the other qualities he can bring to a team.
He excelled in the return game and was a Third Team All-AAC selection as a return specialist. Not only that, but he can also be used as a rusher. Jackson scored in all three areas during his time with the Green Wave.
Jackson finished 2023 with 439 yards and four touchdowns on 26 receptions and rushed five times for 51 yards. He’s excellent after the catch, averaging over 17 yards per reception over his final three seasons.
An offensive coordinator will be thrilled at the many ways they can utilize Jackson.
Room For Improvement
As your traditional, smaller slot receiver, though, there is definitely room for Jackson to build on his frame. This can cause more physical, defensive backs to knock him off his route if they’re able to jam him. It also limits his blocking abilities.
Jackson can use some development in his route tree, which will come along considering the tools he has to develop as a route runner.
Jha’Quan Jackson NFL Draft Projection
Tulane’s Pro Day was March 26, and Jackson reportedly didn’t run the 40-yard dash because of what he clocked at the Combine, but he was still out there catching passes from QB Michael Pratt — who he caught all of his 109 career passes from while at Tulane. I think this helped his stock even more.
Jackson will probably be selected in the sixth or seventh round, but he has the potential and skills to come in and be an impact player, especially on special teams.
