With the 50th overall choice, the Dolphins continue to clean up their mistakes by selecting
Gabe Jackson, OG Mississippi. Goodbye forever, Richie Incognito. Feel free to check into a mental institution at your soonest convenience. We now have a talented guard to pair with a talented tackle on the left side that will not only give figurative stability to the line, but emotional stability.
6'4" 335. He has a great size and speed combination for a player at his position. His strength is enough to control the largest of DTs. It's my opinion that Miami will try to address the OL quickly and as completely as possible so to move on from the catastrophe of last fall. Drafting 2 talented and startable players right off the bat will help them do this. If they both work out, then Miami is looking good and the events of the 2013 fall disappear in the rear view mirror. I actually was going to take Jordan Matthews at 50 if he fell, primarily because it would have been a sin for him to fall that far, and I think if Matthews is available, Miami would do well finding a prototypical WR like him instead of relying upon niche receivers like Wallace, Hartline and Clay. I was also considering a move to deal some picks for NYG's pick to take Moses for another OT, but I was too lazy to send out trade offers.
2013 All SEC
2012, 2011 2nd team All SEC
You can see his Alabama and Tennessee games here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZggznmB-AUQ
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1700848/gabe-jackson
STRENGTHS: Demonstrates not only the raw power expected of a man of his size but also surprisingly nimble feet and balance while in pass protection, to mirror quick rushers. Jackson plays with excellent knee bend and has long arms, which help him stay square and in control of his opponent in pass pro. He's a powerful drive blocker who uses his natural leverage advantage well, showing good leg drive to push defenders off the ball. Despite his girth, Jackson shows good lateral agility and balance to find fits at the second level. Defenders are seldom able to disengage once Jackson locks in. Is not satisfied with simply occupying space, and prides himself on pancaking and rag-doll'ing opponents. Does a nice job of absorbing the bull rush with his lower half, and rarely surrenders more than a step or two before resetting and anchoring. Comes off the snap quickly and gets up to speed quickly when asked to pull.
WEAKNESSES: Doesn't appear quite as comfortable in space, particularly when headhunting at the second level, as he struggles to break down and redirect with suddenness. Is slow to go vertical when navigating through "trash" and will get tangled up. Tends to zone in when competing one-on-one, and will lose awareness of his surroundings at times. Drops his head and throws himself at defenders too often, and will get caught over-extending in pass protection.
COMPARES TO: Larry Warford, Guard, Detroit Lions - Jackson's rare and surprising combination of size, quickness and power should remind a lot of scouts of the 2013 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Warford. Like the former Kentucky Wildcat, Jackson possesses the power to dominate opponents physically, while displaying quickness and fluidity to wall off the interior pass rush, and exhibits the burst and awareness to get down field and block for the run. Look for teams to value Jackson higher than they did Warford, after the 2013 3rd round selection took the league by storm last season, with many of the same traits.