“Jackson: An Examination of the Virtue of Waiting for Draft Picks”

Examining the rise of the Miami Dolphins offensive tackle

The Miami Dolphins will gain a firsthand look at their 2024 draft class during their upcoming rookie minicamp, hopeful that it marks the beginning of success for their seven selections. However, history and precedent remind us that not all seven picks—Chop Robinson, Patrick Paul, Jaylen Wright, Mohamed Kamara, Malik Washington, Patrick McMorris, Tahj Washington—will achieve the same level of success in the NFL, nor will they develop at identical rates.

In instances where certain picks, especially early selections like Robinson or Paul, take longer to make an impact, the case of Austin Jackson serves as a pertinent example.

Reflecting on Jackson’s NFL journey, recent attention has been directed towards offensive line coach Butch Barry for his role in Jackson’s emergence as a starting right tackle in 2023, his fourth season in the NFL. However, attributing Jackson’s breakthrough solely to Barry overlooks the player’s own contributions.

Firstly, it’s crucial to recognize that head coach Mike McDaniel’s wide zone scheme aligns well with Jackson’s strengths, particularly his mobility. Unfortunately, Jackson’s opportunities to showcase his abilities within this scheme were limited in 2022 due to an ankle injury sustained early in the season. Despite showing improvement during training camp, he was still judged based on his first two seasons, which fell short of expectations for a first-round pick.

It’s worth noting that many draft analysts anticipated Jackson’s need for development when the Dolphins selected him 18th overall in 2020. His NFL.com draft profile highlighted his raw talent and potential for growth, emphasizing the need for refinement in areas such as hand placement and footwork.

Moreover, Jackson entered the league at just 20 years old, emphasizing the importance of both technical development and physical conditioning. By the time of the 2023 training camp, he had noticeably improved his physique, contributing to his performance on the field.

While Tua Tagovailoa also experienced a delayed realization of his potential, Jackson stands out as a prime example heading into the 2024 season, aiming to build upon his breakthrough performance in 2023.