Jaxson Kirkland 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

• In 2018 won the Travis Spring Most Outstanding Freshman Award

• 2019 and 2020 recipient of the John P. Angel Linemen of the Year Award

• 2021 winner of the Husky Excellence Award 
• Declared for the 2021 NFL Draft but returned to school; battled an ankle injury during the 2021 season and had surgery to correct the issue during the offseason 

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: Spread
• 2022 projected role: Starting LT

Pros: Jaxson Kirkland is a smart and experienced blocker that will enter the NFL with multiple years of starting experience at right guard and left tackle. He executes with good timing in the run game and excellent awareness in pass protection. Kirkland is effective with executing scoops and combo blocks and has excellent range in the run game. He offers sufficient length and good foot quickness to mirror pass rushers. Despite having some challenges with leverage, Kirkland is generally a smooth and controlled operator that plays within himself. He demonstrates a willingness to sit on his hips and remain balanced. While he isn’t a road grader, Kirkland shows a likable temperament and tenacity in how he plays the game. He is very deliberate about keeping his hands busy and competing to keep them fit. He generally does well to take advantage of angles and body positioning. 

Cons: Jaxson Kirkland is thin in his lower half and he struggles to maintain a consistent base. In pass protection, his base often lacks proper width and his heels can get clicky, leading to disadvantageous positions to anchor and absorb power. When he concedes pressure, I felt it had a lot to do with an inconsistent base and a lack of comfort operating his hands independently—his strikes are predictable and he often shoots them both simultaneously. Kirkland is a tall offensive lineman, which leads to some challenges with playing with good pad level and he’s frequently out-leveraged at the point of attack. Kirkland will be a 25-year-old rookie.

Jaxson Kirkland NFL Draft Scouting Report by Joe Marino