Reactions: Texas A&M DT McKinnley Jackson is Cincinnati Bengals' third-round pick
The Cincinnati Bengals' fourth pick of the 2024 NFL draft was a compensatory pick near the end of Friday night's third round: Texas A&M defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson.
Former Bengals receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh announced the pick.
"I didn't train this guy," Houshmandzadeh said, after explaining that he had trained Jermaine Burton when he introduced the Bengals' other third-round pick. "But I'll be proud to announce with the 97th pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select McKinnley Jackson, nose tackle, Texas A&M.
"So the Cincinnati Bengals have got a couple of these (defensive tackles) now, right? Didn't they end up taking Kris Jenkins earlier? Now they get McKinnley Jackson," NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said during the broadcast. "This one is more of a comp for (DJ) Reader. We talked about Reader when you had the pick of Kris Jenkins. Now this is a 326-pound guy who is gonna stack and hold blocks at the point of attack. I don't know how much you're gonna get from him with pass rush. It's a lot more just kinda push the pocket. But to me, you've got somebody that if you want to anchor down against the run, and you're gonna be in a division with (teams) that can run it … this is a space-eater for them."
"(Jackson) in terms of being that pile-driver guy inside, hold the point of attack," analyst Charles Davis added. "He replaces DJ Reader. Kris Jenkins can go kind of slot with BJ Hill. A little more of a movement guy at tackle."
"He can get up the field a little more," Jeremiah responded.
McKinnley Jackson reacts to the phone call from Bengals head coach Zac Taylor.
Social media reactions to the Bengals' selection of Jackson:
It's late. You're probably already tucked in. But you can watch one more Draft Call video, right?
It's McKinnley Jackson's (@macfrmGSF_) turn to get THE CALL 📞@IEL_LLC | #RuleTheJunglepic.twitter.com/NFdCTTEtx9— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 27, 2024
WITH THE 97TH PICK ➡️ DT McKinnley Jackson@IEL_LLC | 📺: NFL Draft on ESPN/ABC/NFLN pic.twitter.com/DrGpKB5l4p
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 27, 2024
One more follow for the night... @macfrmGSF_pic.twitter.com/KcLlCTBPXo
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 27, 2024
Us after selecting our first defensive tackle... pic.twitter.com/7NswntcM0c
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 27, 2024
Only one DT? ¿Por qué no dos?
📺: NFL Draft on ESPN/ABC/NFLN pic.twitter.com/csvO4ZlQtJ— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 27, 2024
What's the Bengals' defensive tackle rotation going to look like?
On running downs, they typically go 5 DL. So they can go Jackson-Jenkins-Hill. On third downs, the most likely pairing looks like Rankins-Hill (unless Myles Murphy slides inside). On neutral downs, they can mix…— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) April 27, 2024
Bengals double up at DT with McKinnley Jackson as their second third-round pick @MoveTheSticks says he is a "space eater"
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) April 27, 2024
McKinnley Jackson: 34 run stops since 2022 (3rd among SEC DTs) ✋ pic.twitter.com/xWFpvBKa8J
— PFF CIN Bengals (@PFF_Bengals) April 27, 2024
The Bengals draft DT McKinnley Jackson.
Dane Brugler projected him as a nose tackle with a sixth round grade. After the Bengals got run on a lot last year, they've adjusted by building up a lot more depth at nose tackle.
CB4 remains the biggest question mark on the depth…— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) April 27, 2024
Huge McKinnley Jackson fan
Explosive first step and violent hands, needs to work on consistency and pass rush
Solid selection and based on my film study correct value here for the Bengals https://t.co/yXIDqitEwD— Draft Guy Jared (@DraftGuyJared) April 27, 2024
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Texas A&M DT McKinnley Jackson is Cincinnati Bengals' third-round pick