Mel Kiper doesn’t like the Dolphins pick of Austin Jackson

The 2020 NFL Draft grade saw two USC Trojans land in the first 34 picks. While Michael Pittman Jr.’s selection in the second round to the Indianapolis Colts received an A- from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., the longtime draft analyst stated that he essentially can’t get behind the Miami Dolphins selection of USC T Austin Jackson.

Miami took its left tackle with its next pick, but Austin Jackson (18) is a little inconsistent for me. I can’t get over watching him get beaten by AJ Epenesa when USC played Iowa.

Kiper penned in his article the above, referencing the Holiday Bowl outing that Jackson did indeed give up a few sacks in.

Still, one off game, played a month since the last time any USC Trojan had taken the field is enough to not warrant a glowing review? I think not.

While I do agree with the rest of Kiper’s sentiment about Jackson, it’s hard to overlook that last sentence above.

Jackson was a stalwart in pass protection last year and PFF’s database proves that. According to the numbers, Jackson gave up four total sacks in 2019, three against Iowa and just one against Utah in Week 4.

That’s 11 games without a sack allowed last year including eight straight games.

If that isn’t consistent, I don’t know what is.

Was he helped out by the quick Air Raid passing game? Sure.

Did he still have more good than bad? Even more sure.

He’s going to need some time.

This is the sentiment that I referred to being able to get behind, but this is such a non-issue for me as Jackson is still just 20 years old. I’d take a guy who vastly improved from 2018 to 2019 while learning a new system, is just 20 years old, is a hard worker like Jackson and brings strength, power and size with him any day of the week.

I have to say I disagree with this writeup from Kiper.

Perhaps maybe he only watched the USC-Iowa game and not the other 12 games from the season?

Do you agree that Jackson is inconsistent?