Could Jackson help solidify the Giants’ interior offensive line for the future?
The New York Giants’ offensive line was improved in 2024 and wasn’t the problem with the team. However, right guard Greg Van Roten is a 35-year-old free agent, while Jermaine Eluemunor (who was originally slated to play right guard until Evan Neal suffered a setback with his recovery from ankle surgery) is 30 and will be a free agent after the 2025 season.
The Giants may have options for this year at guard, but they could use a long-term answer at right guard for 2026 and beyond. And also, just because the offensive line was improved doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t keep looking for upgrades.
In both cases, the team could take a long look at Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson. Jackson is a big, powerful lineman who gave up just 3 hits and 3 sacks in 1,652 snaps over the two years he exclusively played guard. Jackson was pressed into service as OSU’s left tackle when injury struck the position, but his future is as a guard in the NFL.
Could that future also be in New York?
Prospect: Donovan Jackson (74)
Games Watched: vs. Iowa (2024), vs. Oregon (2024), vs. Penn State (2024), vs. Indiana (2024)
Measurables
Height: 6-foot-4 (estimated)
Weight: 320 (estimated)
Strengths
Best traits
- Size
- Play strength
- Run blocking
- Competitive toughness
Jackson is a big, powerful guard with solid athleticism for a player his size.
He moves easily within his range and is able to mirror most interior defenders as well as redirect to pick up pressure in the A or B-gaps. Jackson uses choppy footwork to ensure he’s always able to anchor against power as well as be in position to block pass rushers.
Jackson has a flexible lower body and typically plays with good knee bend to keep his hips and pads low. His leverage allows him to maximize his already impressive play strength. He has a powerful grip to go with good core strength to easily control defensive linemen once engaged in pass protection, as well as pry them out of gaps in the run game. Jackson’s blend of athleticism and power allows him to execute a diverse set of blocking schemes, with the movement skills to stay in phase in zone schemes as well as displace defenders in man-gap schemes.
He has good competitive toughness as both a run blocker and pass protector. Jackson gets after defenders in the run game and also offers good effort in pass protection. He’s willing to block multiple defenders on the same play and constantly looks for work. Likewise, he keeps his head when faced with stunts, twists, and pressure packages; calmly passing off loopers or picking up delayed blitzes.
Jackson’s flexibility, initial quickness, and power make him an effective blocker in short-yardage situations. He’s able to create movement along the line of scrimmage.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Top end athleticism
- Range
- Leverage consistency
Jackson has solid athleticism for a guard, but he lacks top end athleticism compared to the elite athletes at the position. He has a somewhat limited range, which shows up when he’s asked to play in space or move a considerable distance to make a block.
Most notably, he has a tendency to let his knees straighten and hips rise if he has to cover a lot of ground or react quickly to particularly athletic pass rushers. He can lunge against speed or have his chest get out over his toes when blocking on the move, often winding up stumbling forward.
Finally, while Jackson filled in at left tackle after injuries depleted the position for OSU, he shouldn’t be considered more than an emergency tackle for an NFL team.
Game Tape
(Jackson is No. 74)
Projection
Jackson projects as a starting guard at the NFL level, with enough schematic diversity to play in a wide variety of offenses.
His size and power, as well as slight issues with moving over longer distances, mean he would likely be best in man-gap schemes that allow him to block downhill. However, he should be able to execute zone schemes well as long as they don’t ask him to run too far.
Jackson might be considered depth at tackle for some teams, however he should only be a “break glass in case of emergency” option on the edge. He should be able to win a starting guard job on most offensive lines early in his career.
Does he fit the Giants?
Yes
Final Word: A Day 2 value
