Rams Claim Former Patriots OG Tre’ Jackson

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Los Angeles Rams have claimed recently released Patriots OG Tre’ Jackson:

Tre’ Jackson played his college ball at FSU and was a 4th-round pick in the 2015 draft by the Patriots. As a rookie, Jackson started in 9 games and ultimately played in 13 games for the Patriots while dealing with a knee injury. Things didn’t go so well in the 2016 season as Jackson started the season on the PUP list and never fully recovered in time to play, and ultimately missed the entire 2016 season.

Jackson measures in as a very large human and guard for that matter - 6’4 and 330 lbs. Here are his NFL.com listed draft strengths:

Leverage and strength to stand and steer defenders in confined spaces. Stays flat-footed and balanced at point of impact in pass pro. Deliberate, controlled climb to second level. Power to jolt in his hands. Shows recovery ability when beaten in run game. In short pull, can find target, engage and seal. Aggressive play demeanor. Can take a stand when being bull-rushed.

Also, an NFL coordinator told this to NFL.com:

“He's got everything you want in a guard, he just needs to work on technique. I did my homework on the person and I think he'll be coach-able. He would start right away for us.”

They also had compared him to former long-time Atlanta Falcons guard Justin Blalock who played in 125 games over 8 years.

Not much is known about Jackson right now, but the signing is likely a good one. Rodger Saffold has had some injury concerns in the past, and the Rams really don’t seem to know what’s going to happen at RG with Havenstein being kicked in, so the addition of Tre’ Jackson helps as he could potentially win the job or just serve as depth.