With the 248th pick, St. Louis selects Keith Jackson, DT, Arkansas

[Nick]

Keith Jackson
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 305 lbs
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Arkansas

40-Time: 4.85
Bench Press: 33 reps

Full Bio


Discuss our seventh round pick here!

[RamsFan16]

Absolutely love this pick. Great Run Stuffer.

[Varg6]

Dunno much about him...Nick what's your take?

[smizzhfx]

From nfldraftcountdown.com:

Strengths:
Strong and stout...Plays with excellent leverage...Excels against the run...Moves well...Good awareness and instincts...Quick with a burst to close...Effectively able to get off blocks...Durable and experienced...Solid production...Terrific bloodlines.

Weaknesses:
Undersized and doesn't have either the height or bulk you look for...Not much of a pass rusher...Work ethic has been questioned...Is not a great athlete...Is not very powerful and doesn't get a good push...Not a fit for every scheme...Upside?

Notes:
Father, Keith, was a two-time All-American tight end at Oklahoma, is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and was a six-time Pro Bowler in the NFL...Good player who does not stand out in any one area...At most he profiles as a backup.

[tomahawk247]

sounds to be a good pick, even if only a project

[smizzhfx]

Has hall of fame pedrigree.. let's hope he can be the sleeper the Ram's desperately need on the D-Line!

[AvengerRam]

Whoah, Nelly!

[Nick]

War Room analysis
Strengths: Is athletic with surprisingly quickness and speed. Consistently gets moving quickly at the snap, getting underneath reach blocks. Keeps blockers on his back, and comes down the line to make tackles in pursuit. When playing with leverage and getting hands on offensive linemen, can stack the point of attack, shed and make tackles. Show good instincts to reads plays and react. Excels at snuffing out screen passes, grabbing backs to slow their release.

Weaknesses: Should be more productive. Plays upright and long-legged too often, draining his strength and being driven off the ball. Isn't explosive enough to shoot gaps and penetrate. Lacks polish as a pass rusher; struggles to apply pressure. Doesn't consistently shed blocks. Struggles with side blocks, getting driven down the line too easily.

Bottom line: Only when you watch film on Jackson do you get a good feel for his abilities and appreciate him. Defensive linemen of Jackson's ilk often are overlooked. Jackson isn't an explosive playmaker, but he is a strong and athletic two-gap tackle with the tools to be a good starter and protect his linebackers.

Should be in the mix in the competition for a spot at nose tackle, I would think. Guy did 33 reps on the bench.

[MASSIVE]

I like this pick, I hope one of these players at DT has a great camp so that we can cut Kennedy that way his chance of playing great in his last contract year result in him getting a big contract are slim to none.

[bruce4life]

7th round project im all for it,,, finally a good pick

[MASSIVE]

I hope we can pick up DT Walter Thomas as a undrafted free agent

[RealRam]

Nick, 'competition' is what I was thinking of also. There will be some good, hard fought competition for all these aspiring DTs at training camp!

Jackson junior does seem a little undersized and, well, undersized. Would have to bring other considerable strengths to compensate. I don't see him making the team at this extremely early point.

[Richbert88]

poor Kennedy, these guys all appear strong than he is.

[Nick]

For what it's worth, Pat Kirwan on Sirius radio just said they might have a little competition trying to pick who they think will be this year's Marques Colston, and he may just pick Jackson.

[r8rh8rmike]

Originally Posted by Nick

For what it's worth, Pat Kirwan on Sirius radio just said they might have a little competition trying to pick who they think will be this year's Marques Colston, and he may just pick Jackson.

Could you imagine the ramifications if Jackson actually became this years Colston?