Dan Jackson NFL Draft 2025 Scouting Report for Detroit Lions S

The Detroit Lions selected Georgia safety Dan Jackson with the No. 230 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Dan Jackson is a safety prospect with the burning desire to get downhill and disrupt the play.

Jackson is an aggressive defender who displays good range and burst downhill from depth. He covers crossing and shallow route patterns from depth confidently. He reads and diagnoses route concepts quickly to trigger and close on the ball. Jackson displays smooth hips to turn and transition when playing deep coverage shells.

Dan Jackson Highlights

00:59

As a run defender from depth, he processes information quickly. Jackson has the range to drive downhill and meet the ball-carrier at the spot. He is a fearless run defender and gives full effort in making a stop on the ball.

Unfortunately for Jackson, his frame and length create difficult tackle attempts. He was charged with 15 missed tackles in 2024. Jackson strikes better than he wraps up. Powerful ball-carriers either run through his small wingspan or stiff-arm him from a distance, not allowing him to get into their frame. As a result, he isn’t an ideal every-down box defender.

Jackson is not a man-to-man coverage defender. If placed into those situations, NFL QBs will identify the mismatch and attack him relentlessly with slot receivers and pass-catching tight ends.

Jackson projects to be a depth piece in the safety room with potential as a core special teams player. His willingness to tackle, effort, instincts and downhill speed will give some defensive coordinators hope in what they can do with him.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 194

HAND: 9⅝"

ARM: 32⅛"

WINGSPAN: 79½"

40-YARD DASH: 4.46

3-CONE: 7.12

SHUTTLE: 4.33

VERTICAL: 34"

BROAD: 10'3"

POSITIVES

— Physical striking tackler who loves to attack downhill.

— Good acceleration and range downhill against the run.

— Smoother hips than expected to turn and run in high-coverage shells.

NEGATIVES

— Not a man-coverage defender. Will be picked on by NFL QBs.

— Lacks the size, strength and length to live in the box as an extra run defender.

— Poor length creates compromising situations in one-on-one situations; 15 missed tackles in 2024.

NOTES

— Born Nov. 30, 2000

— 0-star recruit in 2019 class, per 247Sports

— 2024 Third team All-SEC

GRADE: 6.4 (Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 183

POSITION RANK: S17

PRO COMPARISON: Tyree Gillespie

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson