The Kansas City Chiefs could be looking to add defensive line help during the 2025 NFL Draft. A prospect they could be considering is Arkansas defensive end Landon Jackson — an athletic player who would be an immediate NFL contributor.

Background

Coming out of Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, Texas in 2021, Jackson was rated as the nation’s seventh-best EDGE prospect, collecting more than 20 college offers. He ultimately chose LSU, where he played five games as a true freshman before transferring to Arkansas. There he collected 116 tackles (58 solo, 28 for loss), 16 sacks, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles in 37 games over three seasons.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Jackson checked in at 6 feet 6 and 264 pounds, with 33 1/4-inch arms and 10-inch hands. His athletic testing is leaving NFL scouts drooling.

The vertical jump is one of the best tests for a lineman’s athletic ability because it showcases how much power they can generate from rest — similar to exploding out of their stance at the snap. Jackson’s vertical jump was particularly impressive.

With his tremendous combination of size and athleticism, Jackson became one of the draft’s highest risers — and a player that every team could have on its draft board.

Film evaluation

Jackson’s long arms allow him to use his frame to his advantage. Since he was the same size as many of the offensive tackles he faced in college, he could not only outmatch them physically, but also had the quickness and first step to put pressure on the quarterback.

On this play, Jackson starts out lined up in a tight 5-technique, just outside the left tackle. Off the snap, he initially works upfield before quickly planting his inside foot after first contact — and then blasting through the B-gap with a quick hand swipe. This puts immediate pressure on the quarterback, who is flushed from the pocket before he throws an incompletion.

For a college prospect, Jackson uses his hands well — and has the potential to develop an arsenal of moves at the next level. His favorite moves tend to be the hand swipe, a push-pull and a rip.

Jackson best hand use came on the snaps where he was lined up along the interior.

Lined up as a 4i-tech on this play, Jackson shows toward the B-gap first, but lands his hands before the right tackle can do so. This allows him to rag-doll his way into the backfield to pressure the quarterback.

But we also see something Jackson needs to improve: he doesn’t always bend very well. On this play, if he is able to bend around the arc instead of falling down — it does appear he is tripped — he might get the sack.

Still, this is a small part of his game. He’ll figure it out in time — and when he does, it will add another layer to his NFL potential.

The Chiefs will love another of Jackson’s traits: the all-out effort with which he plays. His motor never stops — and it helped him find success at Arkansas.

Here, Jackson is facing a potential top-10 offensive tackle: Kelvin Banks. Going with a rush off the edge, doesn’t win initially — but on his second effort, a well-timed rip move allows him to penetrate the B-gap and collect a blind-side sack.

At the next level, Jackson will also need to improve his run defense. But to be fair, this could be a case of addition by subtraction. At Arkansas — playing inside on obvious running downs — Jackson could be overpowered by double teams or stout guards.

Typically, however, Jackson did a good job of setting the edge, working through blocks to make plays. He tended to do well against smaller tight ends, where his physical traits gave him the advantage.

On this running play, the Texas tight end steps down to block Jackson. Jackson quickly recognizes the play, locking out the tight end before shedding the block to stop the running back at the line of scrimmage.

This is a good example of Jackson’s playing strength being used to his advantage. It’s a skillset that is transferable to the NFL.

The bottom line

An athlete of Jackson’s caliber — who already possesses an arsenal of pass-rushing moves — makes him one of the more interesting edge defenders in this draft class. Multiple teams could be prioritizing him.

Jackson would be a phenomenal fit in the Kansas City defense, since he possesses the physical traits and on-field skillsets that coordinator Steve Spagnuolo covets in his defensive ends.

Jackson also displays the inside-outside versatility that the Chiefs’ coaching staff has always valued in players like Chris Jones, Charles Omenihu and Mike Danna. Based on their similar physical stature and playing style, Jackson’s best comparison is probably Omenihu — a player for whom Jackson could be a long-term replacement.

Jackson has generally been projected as a Day 2 selection — but as the draft draws closer, it will be interesting to see if his stock continues to rise. He could even end up being taken late in Day 1.