Rams 2021 undrafted free agent tracker

Alaric Jackson T Iowa

Hand: 09 1/2
Arm: 32 1/2
Wingspan: 83

Height: 6054
Weight: 321

40 Yrd Dash: 5.40
20 Yrd Dash: 3.14
10 Yrd Dash: 1.87
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 20
Vertical Jump: 25
Broad Jump: 08’07”
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.92
3-Cone Drill: 7.69

40 Time Range: 5.37-5.43/Projected 5.31

We’re already up to 6 UDFA signings by the Rams, including TWO offensive linemen!

And two more wide receivers https://t.co/A2JueTx04Z

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) May 1, 2021

The Rams are signing Air Force UDFA DT George Silvanic, per source. https://t.co/HFhze4OHxe

— ProFootballChase™️ (@pfootballchase) May 2, 2021

Ourlads on Alaric Jackson

Four-year starter, Detroit, MI. Earned All Big 10 honors three straight years, including first team in 2020. Started at left tackle right off the bat as a redshirt freshman and never looked back. He paired with current Tampa Bay right tackle Tristan Wirfs to create a formidable duo on the outside for a couple of seasons. Early on, Jackson was considered the better of the two before Wirfs’ athletic tools took over during his development. He is a powerful and physical player who has flashed dominant stretches over his career. His lower body mechanics need to be cleaned up and there may be an issue with his length as an exterior pass blocker, but he should fit into a backup role with the potential to be a starter down the road. Heavy-contact blocker that can play the power game and create an enforcer’s mentality with his ability to overwhelm his man. Excellent grip strength. Can render a defender completely ineffective when he gets that inside position and feet underneath his hips with good knee bend. Can anchor himself against well against a big bull rush. Uses his wide frame to create extra space between him and a pass rusher. Can turn his torso and long-arm up the edge. Recovers well and will always be able to call on his natural power on the move. Foot speed and balance are inconsistent. Doesn’t adjust well on the outside against speed. Will overextend and show his numbers to the ground. Arm length is an issue and will need to be hidden with more consistent attention to his footwork and torso positioning. Fourth/Fifth round.

One UDFA I would love to sign. His weaknesses are not that hard to fix.

Name: Kion Smith
College: Fayetteville State
Hometown: Lumberton, NC
Class: R-Senior
Height: 6′ 6″
Weight: 315 lbs

Bio
Smith did not get a chance to play his senior year at Fayetteville State because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, NFL scouts saw enough of his play in 2019 to have interest in his talent. He was a first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection that year, starting 11 games at left tackle (while also acting as the backup long snapper). Smith did not play in 2018 due to injury. He did start 10 games at left tackle as a true freshman in 2016, however, just one year after playing at Lumberton High School in North Carolina. Smith started five of six games played at left tackle the following season. — by Chad Reuter

Overview
Small school developmental tackle who is lacking in technique and play strength. Smith is a project at this point, but he has a favorable body type, including the length that NFL teams covet at tackle. He has decent quickness as a run blocker and shows good fluidity working his combo blocks up to the linebacker. His hand usage and placement is all over the place and must be corrected before he can ever see the field. He has better upside than most of the potential priority free agents at his position and could end up as a practice squad player early in his career while a team tries to coach him up.

Strengths
*Proportional, athletic frame with excellent arm length.
*Plays with enough quickness to win races to the spot.
*Capable to pull and cut with some effectiveness.
*His ability to sustain blocks will see a big jump if he gets his hands right.
*Good radar to connect with pop on second level.
*Maintains proper base throughout slide phase.
*Length will become bigger factor with additional coaching.

Weaknesses
*Played at a lower level of competition.
*Explosion testing was very disappointing.
*Hands land way up high on opponent’s frame.
*Lacks technique fitting into his run blocks.
*Needs to learn to keep his pads under his feet.
*Lunging opens inside rush counters.
*Needs to live in the weight room early on.

2021 NFL Draft: Alaric Jackson Player Profile

* https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2021/04/26/2021-nfl-draft-alaric-jackson-player-profile/

Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6’5 3/8”
Weight: 318 LBs
School: Iowa University

Alaric Jackson 2021 NFL Draft Profile

In a loaded tackle class, Alaric Jackson is a name that isn’t garnering much attention. How is this so? A tenured left tackle, that started four seasons at one of the best offensive line programs in the nation should be getting more buzz, right? Simply, Jackson may have reached his peak in college. This isn’t a terrible thing as Jackson’s floor is relatively high. Jackson has good hands and enough athleticism to be a capable guard in the NFL.

Jackson played 35+ games for Iowa, anchoring a line that has produced NFL talent aplenty. His draft profile isn’t as good as his 2019 teammate Tristan Wirfs, but he still has characteristics that teams look for. Jackson is an above-average run blocker, with great drive and instincts. He was a leader of a line that produced great for his four seasons as starter and NFL teams value leadership characteristics in the mid-rounds.

The concerns surrounding Jackson are his length at the tackle spot and no elite traits. However, he is a versatile, experienced lineman, which is hard to find on the mid-days in the NFL Draft. Jackson can step in right away and offer depth to a team in need of bodies on the line. His weaknesses are more on physical traits than things that pop up on tape, meaning a position switch inside may benefit him.

Strengths
Experience at Left Tackle in college
Good pad level
Good explosion out of stance
NFL Size
Gets to the second level with ease

Weaknesses
Inconsistent with his feet, will cause issues at pro level
As a five year starter, his ceiling is relatively set
Lacks a nastiness in his blocks, finishes softly
Strength is an issue
Uses a false step, that he got away with in college, won’t cut it at NFL level

NFL Comparisons: Russell Okung

Teams With Need At This Position: Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings

Projection: Fourth Round

Bottom Line on Alaric Jackson
The 2021 draft is loaded with tackles, and Jackson seems to be lost in the mix. Even though he started four years at left tackle for Iowa, he may be better suited to kick inside to guard at the next level. He can still offer a team depth at tackle as a reserve, but to garner starting snaps the switch inside seems necessary. His lack of huge flaws minus the lack of length to play tackle, make his projection at guard a good one. Jackson wouldn’t be the first Iowa tackle to make the switch, joining all-pro guards Marshall Yanda and Brandon Scherff, and it turned out pretty beneficial for them. Jackson could be a plug-and-play starter at guard right away for a guard needy team.[/quote]