FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson.
- 2024 NFL Draft Guide
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- 2024 NFL Mock Draft: First & Second Round Picks
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Khyree Jackson
Khyree Jackson (CB – Oregon)
6’3″ – 195 lbs.
Background:
Three-star recruit who spent a year at Fort Scott Community College, then attended Alabama, starting only the National Championship game but appearing in a few other contests as well, mostly in the postseason. Got suspended by Nick Saban the following year, totaling just 64 defensive snaps, then transferred to Oregon, where he stepped into a starting role. Allowed just 19/38 passing (50%) for 200 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions and eight breakups when targeted this year.
Positives:
Tall, lanky corner who stepped right into a starting job at Oregon and played very well. Often lined up in press-man looks, and that seems like a good fit for his physical/athletic profile. Overall flexibility is very impressive and has the raw speed to carry opponents downfield. Has some of the best press-man cover skills in the draft. Matches releases well with his footwork at the line. Uses his hands well to disrupt opposing receivers and stay connected through the stem in man coverage. Pins opponents to the sidelines and smothers them with length when defending outside releases. Gets his head around early to locate when his back is to the passer. Has good ball skills to capitalize when in position to make a play; body control, leaping, timing and hands are all strong elements of his game. Physical, reliable tackler who likes to come up and defend the run, with a wide radius and good open-field tackling skills. Flexibility lets him slip under and slither past stalkers to get to the ball in the run/screen games.
Negatives:
Can be a bit grabby through the stem, which could lead to penalties at the next level. More comfortable on the boundary than he is working on the field side and defending in-breaking routes. Would like to see him flatten out when defending against shallow crosses and overs. Circumstances leading to his 2022 suspension will require further investigation.
Summary:
Looks like a first or second-round pick on tape, with a combination of size, length, flexibility, physicality, awareness and ball skills which allowed him to smother out receivers down the sidelines this year. Ultimately, stock will probably depend more on what teams learn about his character during the pre-draft process, as his suspension at Alabama will raise flags. If everything checks out there, it’d be very surprising if he made it out of the second round. However, if there are any concerns about his work habits or locker-room dynamics, could slip further down the board. I love the tape so much, it’d be hard to imagine him falling out of the second day.
Projection: Round 2-3
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