With their first selection on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL draft, the New York Jets selected defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr.
Throughout 50 career NCAA games, Jackson collected 129 combo tackles (55 solo, 12.0 for loss), 7.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
In 2025, he ranked fifth among FBS defensive tackles in run stops (23). He earned the ninth-highest pressure rate among 401 qualified DTs during the 2024 season (12.2%), showing a pass-rush ceiling, although his production in that phase fell dramatically in 2025 (5.6% pressure rate).
Ultimately, New York took the right approach to the pick.
Jets took the smart approach to pick No. 103 with Jackson
Jackson didn’t start playing football until he was a junior in high school, weighing just 200 pounds. At February’s NFL Scouting Combine, he weighed in at 315 pounds at 6-foot-5.
He brings a ton of raw upside for Jets defensive line coach Karl Dunbar to work with. For multiple years now, the Jets have relied on undrafted players to play rotational roles on the defensive line. As evidenced by recent results, that model doesn’t work all that well.
While defensive tackle was far from a glaring need for the Jets, it is promising to see them use their Day 3 picks to beef up the trenches.
Also, it is important schematically. When transitioning to more of a 3-4 base defense, which the Jets are expected to do this season, it is necessary to have multiple true nose tackles on the roster. Jackson is more than capable of playing that role along with T’Vondre Sweat, a 2024 second-round pick whom the Jets acquired in exchange for Jermaine Johnson.
“I’m bringing physicality to the run game, and I can push the pocket and get to the quarterback,” Jackson said. “I know they have a plan for me. Just bringing that physicality. It’s going to be great.”
His ceiling is a high-end defensive tackle who can generate pressure from the interior and thrive as a run defender, while his floor is a rotational nose tackle. Given that reality, the Jets’ approach to choosing Jackson was very cohesive.
