Steelers Draft Profile: McKinnley Jackson could add new hook to modern Steel Curtain

At first glance, there are several areas of concern on the Steelers roster, those that receive the majority of fanfare and attention are on the offensive side of the ball. It’s easy and understandable to focus your attention on projecting what Omar Khan and Andy Weidl will do to patch the offensive line and their solution to the complicated dilemma at Quarterback. However, I have my eyes turned to our brewing problem at the interior defensive line spot.

It's a position where we, Steeler fans, have not had to worry about for well over a decade thanks to Cam Heyward. Unfortunately, Father Time is undefeated, and it sadly looks like Cam’s years are numbered and he could only have one more left in him. It is time to address this issue before it becomes any bigger than it already is. This issue was thrust into the spotlight this year during Cam’s stint on the IR. Keeanu Benton stepped up big time in his absence, Montravious Adams and Armon Watts were serviceable and Larry Ogunjobi has been pedestrian at best, considering the contract he just signed a year ago it's reasonable to ask more from him. Not to mention Isaiahh Loudermilk and Demarvin Leal, who traded inactive assignments throughout the season. All of this is to say the Steelers could greatly benefit from finding and adding another young player in the upcoming draft to bolster this group.

That player in mind is former two-year captain at Texas A&M, McKinnley Jackson. Jackson is a 6’1.5” 331-pound DT who was a four-year impact player at A&M. He participated in 40 games and 1391 snaps throughout his four-year career. He amassed 91 total tackles, 15.5 TFLs, and 7.5 sacks. His best year was his junior season in 2022, where he compiled 37 total tackles, 7 TFLs, and 2 sacks. He took a small step back his senior year in 2023, but it was minimal, and he avoided injury and took part in every regular season game (sat out the TaxAct Texas Bowl against Oklahoma State) for the first time in his career. His senior stats read as follows: 27 total tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and 3 sacks, a career-high for a single season. That paired with an impressive performance at the Senior Bowl, Jackson is projected to be a 3-4 round pick.

What I see in Jackson is value -- A proficient, experienced college player who will potentially be available during the third day of the draft. He is a consistent and impressive player against the run, is extremely strong and his “wrecking ball” build allows him to do a good job of plugging holes in the run game. He struggles more in pass-rush situations, he possesses a good bull rush move but hasn’t found his go-to counter move yet. However, throughout his career, he has shown flashes of rushing the passer (look up his sack against UNC during his freshman year in 2020). He wouldn’t be an immediate three-down guy, but he would instantly bring help in defending the run and has the potential to grow into a better pass rusher over time.

McKinnley Jackson is certainly a prospect for Steelers fans to learn more about and watch for at the combine and throughout the rest of the draft process.