NFL Draft Profile: Jaxson Kirkland, Offensive Lineman, Washington Huskies
#51
Pos: OT
Ht: 6062
Wt: 310
40: 5.24
DOB: 7/30/1998
Hometown: Portland, OR
High School: Jesuit
Eligibility: 2023
Jaxson Kirkland
Washington Huskies
One-Liner:
Kirkland is a proven pass protector who has shown he will at minimum slow you down. The question I want to answer in ‘21/’22 is can he blow you back as well.
Evaluation:
Kirkland is an athletic lineman from UW who converted to LT from LG in 2020. Considering how few snaps he has at the position (264) Kirkland is an extremely polished player who consistently demonstrates high IQ at the position. At 6’7 310, Kirkland has both the size and athleticism to handle the blindside at the next level. Kirkland is at his best in pass pro, where he fires off of the snap, is first to contact. Kirkland demonstrates excellent hand usage and mirror ability with a patient game that sees him reacting vs guessing. Kirkland has excellent mobility and balance for his size and refuses to get beat outside or by pure speed. Kirkland has good spatial awareness on run plays and is quick when pulling outside. Kirkland also demonstrates good feel for when to cede ground in order to stay in front of a rusher. Kirkland plays through the whistle and shows a high IQ for when to pass blockers off, as well as being quick to find double teams when left without an assignment. Did not allow a single sack or QB hit in 2020. Kirkland has a high cut 6’7 frame and issues with pad level come with the territory. Kirkland played at 330 at OG but came to camp at 295 last year. As a result, lower half strength wasn’t there. Anchor needs to show improvement in ‘21/’22 and leg drive needs to show up more in the run game. Now listed at 310. A few reps where Kirkland struggles vs inside power rush moves. Kirkland takes good angles in run game, but higher pads can result in some misses at the second level. Strong hands, but needs to let defenders go when they try to peel back or he will get some flags. Smaller sample size at the position without proving concept against NFL level pass rushers. Kirkland stands out as one of tackles with a chance to spring himself into OT1 consideration if he can improve upon his 2020 tape and prove himself against NFL caliber players. He will check NFL size and athleticism thresholds easily at an athletic 6’7 310 and is clearly a high IQ player. Showing improved lower half strength and leg drive will be key to getting him there and games vs Hutchinson and Thibodeaux will be vital to his draft stock. Very good zone scheme tackle prospect.
Grade:
4th Round
Background:
3-star recruit out of Portland, Oregon. Born on July 30th, 1998. Played football and shot put at Jesuit High School. Was named All-State offensive tackle in his junior and senior years of high school. Senior year was named to the All-Oregon Team by USA Today. Committed to Washington on January 30th, 2017. Redshirted his freshman campaign that same year. In 2018 started all 14 games and earned Washington’s Most Outstanding Freshman award. Played and started eleven games at right guard for the Huskies in 2019. Missed time that season due to lower-body injury. Switched to left tackle in the shortened 2020 campaign, earning All-Pac-12 First Team honors for his play. Team captain in 2020. Father Dean Kirkland is a former All-Pac-12 tackle and team captain during the late 1980s.
