Scouting Profile: Jackson Slater - IOL - Sacramento State
Sales Pitch: Experienced lineman with the quickness to be a solid pass protector. Limited tools and a big competition jump indicate a backup role with low end starter upside.
*Gold Numbers Indicate NCAA T-25 for 2024*
Scouting Report
Jackson Slater is a former 3-Star recruit from the state of Washington where he was a 4 sport letterman. Over the past 4 years he was a staple for the Sac State offensive line, starting 44 straight games at LT, LG and C until a knee injury cut his 2024 season short. Slater was a 3x All-Big Sky and 2x FCS All-American honoree who hasn’t allowed a sack since 2022.
Slater is a stocky guard with solid weight and athletic ability. He is at his best as a zone run blocker where he displays the burst to quickly get out of the blocks and close to his assignment in space. He has the requisite foot speed and hip fluidity to get out and around on reach blocks on wide zone runs. Slater is an experienced player with over 3,000 snaps in his career, and shows a good understanding of block angles. He is quick to recognize color and redirect to seal off rushing lanes. In pass protection he does an excellent job picking up and passing off stunts and blitzes as well. Slater’s quick feet allow him to mirror speed rushers when in protection. He combines this with fast hands that locate well to disrupt rush timings. While not the strongest player, he has outstanding pad level that gives him the leverage to survive power rush moves.
Slater has below average size and strength for the position. For a player who is facing a big leap from the FCS to NFL level there will be concern if he can physically hold up. Slater does not project well into gap scheme offenses due to a lack of pop in his hands or legs. He must shake a bad habit of dipping his head on contact that results in whiffs out of his stance. Even when Slater does attach, he struggles to drive defenders off the ball in the run game. A lack of grip strength and short arms hinder his ability to control defenders, and they routinely are able to slip out of his grasp if he cannot seal them off with his frame. In pass protection Slater must always work with good center of gravity and pad level, because once he is out of position he lacks the force to redirect with his inside shoulder and knock rushers off their path. His ability to hold up versus NFL power rushers with the length to initiate contact to his chest is a big question mark as well.
Slater profiles best in a zone scheme offense at either guard or center. The size and strength are less than ideal for an NFL lineman, but loads of experience with solid athleticism gives him a window to land the jump from the FCS level. Slater profiles as a Day-3 pick who should be a versatile backup and challenge for a starting spot in camp.