Patriots Draft Profile: Versatile Lineman Could Fill Multiple Needs

The New England Patriots probably aren’t in love with any offensive tackle prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Why? We already laid out the reasons, so if you’re interested, go check that out.

It’s still a major need, though.

New England filled the majority of its needs throughout free agency, with Stefon Diggs recently joining a loaded class of veterans who are expected to make an immediate impact — like Milton Williams, Harold Landry and Carlton Davis. It’s only a matter of time a blindside protector is added, but recently, we’ve seen a change in the talent pool from which Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf will be making their decision.

Will Campbell and Armand Membou will be in consideration at No. 4, but there’s a chance the club waits until later to address its biggest need. The Patriots want a can’t-miss prospect in that spot, so if they choose to overlook those two guys and make a selection elsewhere, perhaps they can circle back and consider one of the more versatile options in this class.

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OVERVIEW

Donovan Jackson is everything you could ever ask for along the offensive line, and if you don’t believe us, just soak in this information.

Ohio State cycled through three different quarterbacks over the last three seasons (C.J. Stroud, Kyle McCord and Will Howard), had two different offensive play callers (Ryan Day and Chip Kelly) and asked Jackson to move from left guard to left tackle after injuries struck amid its run to the 2025 CFP National Championship.

Jackson was the one steadying force in a program full of… well, avoidable issues, and eventually became a leader on a championship team. Who wouldn’t want to add that guy?

NFL SCOUTING COMBINE

Jackson only participated in select drills at the combine.

Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 315lbs
Hand: 9 7/8″
Arm: 33 1/2″

Vertical Jump: 32 1/2″
Broad Jump: 8′ 11″

STRENGTHS

Jackson’s versatility is the obvious headliner here, but it’s the stuff that makes it possible that should have evaluators salivating over his prospects at the next level.

You won’t find better functional strength in this class, especially when it comes to playing within an opponent’s frame. Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. and Penn State’s Abdul Carter found out the hard way this past season, as he manhandled them in the run game and more than held his own on passing downs.

Jackson also showed great balance in his transition to the outside, mirroring his lower body to his upper body in a way he hadn’t when playing guard.

It’s all very, very impressive stuff.

WEAKNESSES

Mike Onwenu is much better as a guard than he is as a tackle, right?

It’s the same thing with Jackson, and for many of the same reasons.

Jackson plays upright, and while he is essentially forced to improve leverage on the inside, he falls into that habit when sliding out. Carter got him on a nasty speed-to-power move in their matchup this past season, displaying the worries teams would have with him facing best-of-the-best types at the next level.

CAN HE PLAY TACKLE IN THE NFL?

Yes.

Did you want more of an explanation? Fine.

Jackson has all the tools to play left tackle and clearly has a natural feel for it. New England would deal with some growing pains if it elects to take him, but there’s no doubt the floor and ceiling on this player are a great match for what the club is looking for.

If you’d like more individual profiles, check out the full series and follow @KeaganStiefel on X.