Darrell Jackson is the lone representative at Indianapolis for the annual NFL Scouting Combine. We can think of three teams bound to speak with the Seminoles star.
The biggest NFL job fair takes place this upcoming week to close out February.
Florida State will have one representative heading to Indianapolis -- as Darrell Jackson Jr. embarks on his pro career.
The FSU nose tackle already got the jump on his draft process by playing in the Shrine and Senior Bowl. But the session taking place inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy is more than just running through drills and lifting 225-pounds on the bench press.
Jackson will join the rest of the prospects in meeting with NFL representatives ranging from director of player personnel members, general managers and head coaches.
Time to start thinking about three teams with the highest chance of sitting down and talking to the interior defensive lineman.
Carolina Panthers
The NFC South champs have the trenches to address this offseason.
They're losing three different defenders to free agency once March arrives. Furthermore, this playoff team ranked 20th overall versus the ground game -- further proving Jackson's need here.
There's already the Jan. 31 report that members of Carolina spoke with Jackson already. But this time he can chat with Dan Morgan, Dave Canales and company. The Panthers looked like an overachieving bunch in returning to the postseason this past season. They're a refined defense away from taking the next step...and Jackson could become a big boost in the trenches here.
Cincinnati Bengals
It'll be perplexing in so many ways if the Bengals and Jackson don't run into each other.
For starters, this is the league's worst run defense of 2025. Jackson brings some of the best run stuffing prowess for this draft class.
Jackson likely won't be the only run defender Cincy will talk to. Edge rusher is another pivotal need amid the continuous situation involving Trey Hendrickson's contract. Yet still, Jackson and the Bengals look bound to link up regarding rush defense.
Baltimore Ravens
Throwing in one more from the AFC North that appears to be ready to have a chat with Jackson.
This feels like tradition if the Ravens land Jackson in the draft. Baltimore presents a deep history of using massive defensive tackles -- a la Sam Adams, Haloti Ngata and more recently Travis Jones.
Then there's this element that presents Jackson as a potential fit: New head coach Jesse Minter, who's turned to massive IDLs before as a DC. Minter coached Mazi Smith at Michigan and in 2024, Poona Ford. Minter may become drawn to Jackson's combo of size, short-area quickness and power for his first Ravens defense.
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