Jackson Slater OG Sacramento State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jackson Slater OG Sacramento State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: Left Guard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/05/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 5.25 seconds (63%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: Left Guard | |
| Last Updated: 02/05/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 5.25 seconds (63%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 83.0 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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63% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Pass Blocking: |
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91% |
| Run Blocking: |
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77% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#146
Position rank:
#27
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| College Games: 43 College Snaps: 3081 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chandler Zavala - NC State |
|
91% |
| Marquis Hayes - Oklahoma |
|
87% |
| Christian Mahogany - Boston College |
|
84% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Born and raised in Bellevue, Washington, Jackson Slater built his foundation as a multi-sport athlete at Newport High School, where he dominated the trenches while also competing in baseball, basketball, and track. The three-star recruit showed his versatility early, playing across the offensive line before capping his high school career with an impressive senior season that saw him wreak havoc on defense with 20 tackles in just four games.At Sacramento State, Slater wasted no time making his mark, breaking into the starting lineup at left guard as a freshman and never looking back. His sophomore campaign in 2022 was a breakthrough, anchoring an offensive line that paved the way for a school-record 3,163 rushing yards while earning First Team All-Big Sky honors. The versatile interior lineman continued his dominance through 2023, starting all 13 games and matching Jon Osterhout's feat as only the second Hornet offensive lineman to earn consecutive First Team All-Big Sky selections.
The 6'4", 316-pound mauler was putting together his most impressive season yet in 2024, not allowing a single sack or QB hit through nine starts before a knee injury cut his campaign short. Despite the setback, Slater's body of work - including 44 career starts and three First Team All-Big Sky selections - earned him First Team AP All-American honors and cemented his legacy as Sacramento State's first offensive lineman to achieve that three-time conference recognition.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive first step out of his stance with natural knee bend and leverage that allows him to consistently win the pad level battle in the run game
- Shows some nasty when climbing to the second level, arriving with bad intentions and enough control to stick on linebackers through the whistle
- Natural puller who tracks moving targets with precision, consistently taking proper angles and showing the burst to clear running lanes ahead of backs
- Masterful pass protection technique, particularly in his jump sets where he marries smooth footwork with well-timed strikes to stone rushers early
- Core strength jumps off the tape, regularly absorbing power rushers' initial surge while maintaining his anchor through extended reps
- High-level processor who picks up stunts and twists immediately, showing veteran awareness when passing off defenders in protection
- Brings the juice as a help blocker, delivering crushing shots to unsuspecting defenders while keeping his head on a swivel in pass pro
- Versatility to play multiple positions stands out, having logged quality snaps at guard, tackle and even center against FBS competition
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Average arm length limits his ability to consistently control defenders, occasionally leading to defenders working through his outside shoulder
- Hand placement can get wild in pass protection, particularly against speed rushers where he'll lunge and catch rather than punch
- Lacks ideal mass and anchor strength to consistently hold up against powerful interior defenders who can get into his frame
- Recovery ability is concerning when he loses initial positioning, showing some stiffness when trying to redirect against counter moves
- Coming off significant knee injury that cut his senior season short, raising questions about his immediate NFL readiness
Scouting Report: Summary
The tape doesn't lie - Slater has NFL starter written all over him, particularly in a zone-based system where his athleticism and spatial awareness shine brightest. His masterful jump sets and natural leverage consistently pop on film, compensating for less-than-ideal length with veteran-level technique. That San Jose State game was a revelation, watching him slide seamlessly to center for a handful of snaps and handle the increased mental load without missing a beat.The November knee injury is a legitimate concern, but don't let it overshadow three years of rock-solid durability and steadily improving play. Teams running outside zone concepts will fall in love with his ability to reach the track star defensive tackles in this class - I counted at least six highlight-reel blocks against Portland State where he locked up and drove defenders well past the numbers. His anchor needs work against pure power, but show me a Day 3 interior prospect who doesn't need technical refinement.
Mark my words - some zone-heavy team is going to steal this kid in the mid rounds and look like geniuses by midseason. The combination of pass protection polish, positional versatility, and untapped athletic upside is exactly what smart offensive line coaches dream about. Give him a year to fully recover and master an NFL system, and you're looking at a 10-year starter who can play any interior spot at a winning level.
How other scouting services rate Jackson Slater (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
135.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
32.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.