Florida State could very well have Darrell Jackson hear his name called this week during draft weekend. Here are three bold predictions.
Florida State football has produced an NFL Draft pick during the last 41 seasons.
That streak looked like it was going to be in jeopardy at first had it not been for Darrell Jackson.
The nose tackle entered the 2026 draft class and now, rises as the best hope to continue FSU's streak of producing future league picks.
Time for three bold predictions as we've reached draft week.
1 -- Darrell Jackson Won't Drop to Day 3
Jackson got handed a day three grade by Lance Zierlein of the NFL Network. Meaning he can go as high as the fourth round or drop to the seventh and final round.
"While he's an enormous interior presence with impressive physical features, Jackson's inconsistencies are partially rooted in flawed fundamentals and technique. He plays too upright and with inconsistent base width/block take-on, making him more easily cleared from gaps," Zierlein wrote in his evaluation.
While Jackson didn't show the most consistent fundamentals, he still can impress teams with his size and power inside the defensive line.
But here's the real reason why Noles Roundtable predicts Jackson going higher: The interior defensive line class is thin. All the more reason we envision Jackson landing in the middle of the third round.
2 -- Jackson Lands with Run-Defense Needy Team
Defenses still need run stuffers, even though most front offices gravitate toward edge rushers during this time of year.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in dire need of the former. Hence why Jackson looks like a fit in the Steel City.
Jackson drops to No. 76 overall to the AFC North franchise. Pittsburgh presents an excellent situation with former NFL nose tackle Domata Peko now coaching the defensive line. Jackson gains a huge mentor here.
A certain FSU legend likely will welcome some Seminoles representation in the Steelers' locker room too: Jalen Ramsey.
3 -- Jackson will vie for Playing Time
So Jackson avoids a deep draft fall off and ends up going in the third round.
He'll compete right away for a starting spot in response. Although that will be hard with Cameron Heyward still hanging around the roster and dominating the trenches.
Heyward isn't getting any younger, though. Hence why new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy likely will consider resting him on certain plays. Jackson's lateral space quickness hands a strong change-of-pace option here for Pittsburgh.
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