Tyree Jackson – Quarterback
School: Buffalo
Class: Junior
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 249 lbs.
Tyree Jackson NFL Draft Profile
Top 3 Player Traits
Arm Strength
The last prospect with this good of an arm was Joe Flacco. Jackson’s strength allows him to throw the ball 50+ yards and make any lazy safety pay. While his accuracy is an issue, he never struggles with hitting his deep balls. Of all his down and distances completion percentages, Jackson’s +11 yards accuracy from first to third down is the highest in 2018.
Mobility
Patrick Mahomes proved that mobile quarterbacks are clearly the future of the NFL. Pocket passers likeTom Brady and Peyton Manning are no longer going to be the leaders. Aaron Rodgers and now-MVP Patrick Mahomes have proven that mobility not only downfield but in the pocket is key to long-term success. This is exactly what describes one of Jackson’s biggest strengths. Jackson is cool in the pocket and has the state of mind to not run downfield at the first sign of trouble. Instead, he creates space in the pocket and keeps his eyes on his receivers.
Size
The first thing that stands out about Jackson is his size. He is the tallest and heaviest quarterback in this year’s draft and as discussed before, neither are a liability when it comes to his athleticism. In fact, both of these attributes help when it comes to his ability to move around in the pocket. Cam Newton has proven that quarterbacks the size of linebackers give defenses a lot of trouble and Jackson is no exception.
3 Player Traits In Need Of Improvement
Accuracy
Of his three years in Buffalo, Tyree Jackson has only reached a 60 percent completion rate once. The other two years he finished at 53 and 55 percent. What is perhaps the most frustrating part of his game is that he will place a ball perfectly in the receiver’s hands on one play and then completely airball his next throw. Jackson absolutely needs to find consistent accuracy to find success in the NFL.
Footwork
Part of the reason for Jackson’s accuracy troubles is his footwork. As is the main concern with many aspects of his game, consistency is the main issue with it. Tyree Jackson’s deep accuracy is absolutely on point showing a good understanding of passing off the back foot but when it comes to short and medium accuracy, he is all over the place. Even when not under pressure, Jackson still struggles to stay calm of mind enough to properly deliver the ball.
Overconfidence
As stated before, one of Jackson’s best attributes is his arm strength. While it mixes incredibly well with his mobility and ends up in some tremendous plays that are reminiscent of Mahomes, he tries too hard to make every play that way. Jackson attempts to go for the deep pass too often to make something happen even if the receiver isn’t open. It isn’t a problem that resulted in many turnovers in college but will certainly do so in the pros.
NFL Team Fits
Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford turned 31 in February and is arguably one of the most overrated quarterbacks in the NFL, not to mention his backup Matt Cassel is clearly near retirement age. Tyree Jackson is a project so it makes sense for the Lions to draft him, try to develop him and see what happens and best case scenario: they find Stafford’s successor. Worst case: they find a solid backup as he enters the twilight of his career.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks signed one of the biggest busts this decade in Paxton Lynch to back up Russell Wilson in January so it certainly wouldn’t hurt to bring in some competition. Jackson is a mobile quarterback like Wilson but plays differently than he does. With that said, it would make sense for the Seahawks to want a backup quarterback with a similar skill set than Wilson even if his play style is different.
Carolina Panthers
I already mentioned that Jackson is basically a poor man’s Cam Newton so why not back up the man himself with him? Rumors have floated that Newton may sit out the 2019 season due to injury so the Panthers will need several options at quarterback in case that happens. Jackson isn’t a day one starter but why not draft him, have someone play the first few weeks and then plug him in and see what happens?
NFL Player Comparison
Round Projection
5-7