Raiders Draft 2025: UNLV linebacker Jackson Woodard is a late-round 3-down prospect

With big-time production against the run and in coverage, Running Rebels defender a scheme fit for Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Raiders don’t have to look very far in terms of linebacker help in the 2025 NFL Draft next weekend.

UNLV’s Jackson Woodard is right in the Silver & Black’s backyard and put back-to-back eye-popping seasons that merit a late-round look.

The Running Rebels’ middle linebacker showed the do-it-all ability as a tackler, pass rusher, and ball hawk cover man in 2024 and it’s a skillset and production the Raiders sorely need at the linebacker position.

By The Numbers
Jackson Woodard, Linebacker, UNLV

• 2024: 14 games, 135 total tackles (69 solo), 17 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, 12 passes defensed, 2 fumble recoveries
• Career: 56 games, 267 total tackles (133 solo), 26 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 5 interceptions, 17 passes defensed, 2 fumble recoveries

How He Fits

As the Mike linebacker in UNLV’s 4-2-5 base scheme, Woodard is steeped in nickel alignments — one which the Raiders used frequently in 2024, too.

Woodard is someone a team can put the green dot on and bark out the defensive play calls, align his teammates, and adjust things in response to what the offense is showing. This is something that is up for grabs currently for the Raiders.

Where Woodard helps the Silver & Black the most is pass coverage. This past season, the Arkansas native racked up 12 pass deflections and four interceptions. Overall, Woodard ended his college career with five total interceptions.

Strengths

Bet it man or zone coverage, Woodard boasts the ability to read a quarterback and developing routes to undercut the throw and pick off the pass. Able to move fluidly in a drop back or mirroring a receiving target, Woodard showcased the ability to cover tailbacks and tight ends, alike.

Sound read and react skills and coverage chops make him a three-down middle linebacker, if not one of the starting linebackers in a 4-2-5 nickel alignment. Diagnosing a play quickly allows Woodard to pull the trigger and make a bee-line to the ball.

Woodard put his stamp on his UNVL career with a stellar 2024 campaign which not only showcased some of his best statistical marks, but improvement against the pass and run.

Weaknesses

Woodard has short-area quickness, but his straight-line and long speed is the biggest concern, especially against elevated NFL athleticism. There were times at UNVL where Woodard lost a step in pursuit and couldn’t gain any ground in the chase.

He’ll also need to be more physical when running downhill as a blitzer to get to the quarterback or stymie the run as Woodard has a penchant for getting washed out on the play by blockers. Increasing the win rate will be vital to NFL success.

Woodard’s read and react skills when diagnosing the run needs to bump up and match his instincts in pass coverage. Because of this, Woodard isn’t a true thumper of a punishing tackler.

Projection

Viewed as a Day 3 prospect, Woodard is projected to be a seventh-round selection and/or a priority undrafted free agent.

A fifth-round pick is the highest Woodard’s projections go and thus, if he’s available in the tail-end rounds, Las Vegas would be wise to consider taking a product in their own backyard.

The Raiders do have a need at linebacker and even if the team selects another linebacker prospect earlier in the draft, Woodard is a worthwhile investment as a late-round add. He’s the type of prospect that’s not the fastest but produced on the field and is someone who Las Vegas linebacker coach John Glenn can coach up to allow for football IQ and instincts to make up for speed limitations.