Darrell Jackson Jr. has golden opportunity to reverse Jets' Day 3 struggles

The New York Jets will suit up in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions without veteran defensive tackle David Onyemata after he was placed on injured reserve. While this will create an opportunity for Jowon Briggs to continue flexing, it could also be a launchpad for Darrell Jackson Jr. in his rookie season.

Jackson has been fairly anonymous through two games, which is not alarming for a fourth-round rookie who is buried behind multiple proven veterans who fill the same role. However, with Briggs stepping up to replace Onyemata, Jackson's snaps will likely increase as a result. If he plays well against a banged-up Lions offensive line, the conversation around him may change.

Darren Mougey has made some solid personnel moves, but his one blind spot has been finding quality depth on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. Jackson, who was picked high in the fourth round this season, can show that he is not just a developmental bag of goods and can contribute immediately.

Fourth-round rookie Darrell Jackson Jr. could stand out for Jets in Week 3

The 2025 class started off strong, but Day 3 is looking like a wash. Arian Smith should not be on the field in any capacity; Malachi Moore is one step above being a healthy scratch, and the team has all but given up on Tyler Baron. Kiko Mauigoa is a perfectly average backup linebacker, and he's the best of the bunch.

The Jets' rookie class on Day 3 is once again looking suspect. Jackson has been in a backup role, Cade Klubnik won the QB2 job but has not seen the field yet, and both sixth-round offensive guard Anez Cooper and seventh-round safety VJ Payne have found themselves on IR.

Jackson was considered a mini steal for the Jets, as many believed the monstrous defensive tackle with 320 pounds of bulk and a 7-2 wingspan would be selected in the Top 100. However, due to a lack of a refined pass rush plan, Jackson slid into Karl Dunbar's lap at the top of the fourth round,

Darrell Jackson Jr. could make his presence felt for the New York Jets

Jackson doesn't have to be Superman on the interior or show tangible pass-rush improvement. If he and T'Vondre Sweat plug up the middle and make life tough on arguably the best running back in the league in Jahmyr Gibbs during the Detroit game, that would be a brilliant way to get his career kicked off.

Both Onyemata and Harrison Phillips can play the run, but they are short-term upgrades. If Jackson and Briggs both flash against Detroit, and T'Vondre Sweat continues to do his thing as a pure nose tackle, that trio could be more than enough to give this defensive line a long-term plan of attack.

Mougey needs to start finding talent on the margins. Jackson proving to be the same game-wrecker he was at his best with Florida State could be one way to get some extra hype started around this 2026 class.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow