With the second of two picks in the third round, the Cincinnati Bengals round out Day 2 of the NFL Draft by selecting McKinnley Jackson with the 97th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jackson is the second defensive tackle the Bengals selected on Day 2 of the draft. Unlike second round pick Kris Jenkins, Jackson is a true nose tackle whose responsibilities will be stopping the run, and only stopping the run.
While his role is clear, the Bengals may've acted hastily in drafting him this early.
Bengals risk minimizing value with McKinnley Jackson
DJ Reader's departure in free agency created a gaping vacancy at the nose tackle position. Jackson is built exactly like a true nose tackle with the length and power to hold his own inside.
A player like Jackson should be useful to the Bengals, but was he worth this pick? Jackson is ranked as the 176th overall prospect, and the 15th overall defensive tackle, in this draft class by A to Z Sports NFL Draft analyst James Foster. Here are his top attributes:
- Stout build with long arms & low center of gravity
- Quick hands for sudden & violent block deconstruction
- Exploits over-extension & tosses guards downfield when they lose balance
- Efficient swipe move to crush the outside hand & win the edge
- Will spin into the pocket when his first move gets tied up
Jackson becomes the third new defensive tackle to the Bengals' rotation along with Jenkins and Sheldon Rankins. He fits squarely behind both of those players and incumbent starter B.J. Hill on the depth chart, but that doesn't mean he won't see the field early on.
The Bengals needed a natural fit to two-gap at the 2i position, which is where their nose tackle plays the most. That role will require a few hundred snaps this season, which is a fair expectation for Jackson.
This pick fills a clear need, but Jackson likely could've been had later on. Reaches can happen to any team, and it finally happened with the Bengals after four picks in this year's draft.
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