6 guards the Vikings could select in the 2020 NFL Draft
By Chris Schad
Jonah Jackson (Ohio State)
Measurables:
- Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 306 pounds
Whereas Gary Kubiak’s blocking system counts on synchronized movements and the beauty of pulling guards, Jonah Jackson‘s style is more like a street fight. With the former Buckeyes left guard usually refusing to give up on plays, he’s considered a pro at setting his blocks and his versatility to play either side would be huge for the Vikings to fill holes on their offensive line.
The downside with Jackson is that he doesn’t have an elite athletic profile. Jackson put up a 1.84-second 10-yard split at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, which only ranked in the 52nd percentile. While most of his numbers ranked in the middle, he’s still a long prospect with 33.5-inch arms and he put up 28 reps in the bench press, showing decent strength.
For his limitations, Jackson actually plays an effective style in the trenches. His pass blocking and run blocking grades from Pro Football Focus were identical at 77.8 this season and PFF actually has him pegged as a better fit for a zone-heavy scheme. While he’s not a perfect prospect, the Vikings could do worse by selecting Johnson early in this year’s draft.