In the NFL, the best teams will often take large swings on prospects that have elite athletic traits, raw potential to develop into a start, or both. Today’s report dives into a prospect that falls into the both category, Domani Jackson from the University of Alabama.
After a knee injury that took most of his senior year in high school, Domani committed to play at USC. In his time at USC, he played in 18 combined games over two seasons for the Trojans, recording 34 tackles and 4 pass breakups as well.
Domani then chose to transfer to the University of Alabama, and stepped right into an immediate starter role. So far this season (at the time of this article) he has recorded 27 tackles, 5 pass breakups and 2 interceptions on the season.
Is this initial burst of production a one hit wonder for Domani, or is it an indicator of long term success? Let’s take a deep dive into the tape and find out.
Player Info
Name: Domani Jackson
Jersey: No. 1
Position: Cornerback
School: University of Alabama
Class: Junior
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 197 lbs.
Domani Jackson’s Strengths
Domani has elite level straight line speed, having recorded a 4.28 40-yard dash time, which would be amongst some of the fastest players in the NFL. He also has an excellent physical frame, with good height to match up against some of the taller receivers at the next level.
He also has a high ceiling as a prospect, as he was a highly rated 5 star prospect across multiple scouting services coming into college. He also demonstrates a willingness to assist in the run game, both from a tackling perspective and from a block shedding point of view.
Domani Jackson’s Weaknesses
Despite his willingness to want to help in the run game, his tackling technique will need some work and refinement at the next level. His coverage skills will also need some work, as the athletic talent doesn’t show up while Domani is in coverage.
The injury history is a big red flag, from his significant knee injury in high school and the time he has missed, Domani’s medical reports will be important for him at the combine, as some teams may take him off their board. In addition, his college production doesn’t match his talent, especially athletically, so there are some question marks about his overall technical skills, and whether he is using his talents to his maximum potential.
Draft Projection
Domani is currently sitting on my big board as a round 3 prospect, as his physical traits and speed make him a prospect that you’d want to get on the field and mold him into a star. However, his medicals will be very important, as well as teams will need to spend some time working on his techniques. Some teams I expect to be in on Domani:
- Green Bay Packers (The packers have a need at the cornerback position, and Domani is the athletic player that Matt LaFleur would want to get in the green and yellow for the Packers.)
- San Francisco 49ers (With Leonoir and Ward in the final years of their deals, the 49ers could look to add Domani to this roster, starting him in a nickel back role and developing him to take over on the outside.
- Minnesota Vikings (Since Gilmore and Byron Murphy’s deals can be voided at the end of the year, Flores may want to look to get younger in the defensive backfield with a guy who I’ve compared to a former Vikings cornerback, and who has a sky high ceiling in terms of his potential.)
Any team that looks to pick Domani to add to their roster will have an elite level athlete that will need some seasoning at the next level in order to maximize his potential. Domani will also need to come to the table with a clean bill of health, as his medical availability will be the difference between developing into a star, and being labeled another bust at cornerback.
My comparison for Domani Jackson: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Minnesota Vikings
