How do you salvage the career of a former first-round pick whose first two seasons were plagued by inconsistency and filled with struggles?
That’s the riddle new Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and his offensive staff are trying to solve when it comes to Austin Jackson considering the 18th pick in the 2020 NFL draft struggled mightily in his second season.
While respected for his work ethic and his commitment to his craft, none of those traits prevented Jackson from being a liability for a handful of plays in just about every game during the 2021 season.
He got moved from left tackle to left guard early in the season because his inconsistent hand placement and lackluster footwork allowed defenders to cross his face with ease, contributing to the routine collapse of the quarterback’s pocket.
And even at left guard the struggles continued. As a byproduct, Miami’s offensive line led the NFL in pressures allowed in 2021.
In fairness to Jackson, everyone on last year’s offensive line was a problem at times. But he’s the only lineman Miami used a first-round pick to select, so the standards for the former USC standout are higher and he didn’t live up to them.
As a result, the Dolphins’ decision-makers made it a priority to beef up the left side of the offensive line this offseason.
Terron Armstead, a three-time Pro Bowler, was signed to a five-year, $75 million contract to play left tackle, and Miami added Connor Williams, a 51-game starter for the Cowboys, was signed to a two-year, $14 million deal.
Considering Williams has spent all of his NFL career at left guard, there’s a strong chance that’s where he’ll settle into on the starting lineup once the Dolphins begin their on-field work. If that’s the case, then Jackson’s likely on the move again.
However, Williams did play left tackle at the University of Texas, and the Dolphins’ new focus is to fortify the right side of the offensive line, which is critical because it protects left-handed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside.
“I played right tackle. This isn’t the first time playing a new role for me. Played it in high school and college. It’s not completely new for me,” Jackson said Wednesday, making it clear he feels he’s an offensive tackle. “At end of the day I have to make sure I get the technique and fundamentals right.”
As the roster stands now the Dolphins have half a dozen players vying for two starting spots on the right side, and Jackson’s draft status will likely have him viewed as a front-runner.
Maybe a shift to the right side, where he might compete with Liam Eichenberg, Robert Hunt, Solomon Kindley, Robert Jones and Greg Little, for the starting guard and right tackle spot in what’s supposed to be a wide-zone running scheme, provides a resurgence.
Maybe Jackson improves with better coaching or because Miami’s running a different scheme, one his athleticism seemingly should fit.
“What I like about this scheme is it’s very detailed,” Jackson said. “At the end of the day we have to rely on the concepts we know, study and train for.”
Maybe Jackson improves with a better diet and alterations he’s made to his workout program, some of which he said Armstead has inspired.
Maybe age and experience helps him take that next step, becoming more reliable.
His nimble feet give him a chance to thrive in this new scheme if Jackson can get to the second level as a blocker and wreak havoc on linebackers.
Or maybe none of that matters and Miami learns Jackson isn’t starter material, and he gets chalked up as a first-round bust.
For two and a half decades the Dolphins have had a solid run of offensive linemen selected in the first round turning into respectable NFL starters.
Billy Milner, who was taken 25th in the 1995 draft, was the last first-round bust as an offensive lineman. He only started nine of the 20 games he played in Miami, and played in a total of 30 NFL games because of a career-ending neck injury he suffered in St. Louis after the Dolphins traded him to the Rams for tight end Troy Drayton.
At this point it’s too early to tell what direction Jackson’s career heads in because the Dolphins won’t put pads on for months, and that’s the appropriate time to evaluate offensive linemen.
So until then all Jackson can do is work to ensure he doesn’t become an afterthought for the 2022 team.
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