Texas A&M Defensive Tackle Visits Browns And AFC North Rival

Former Texas A&M defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson made good use of his trip to Ohio this week, visiting both the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.

Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson. / Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns have reportedly hosted another defensive tackle for a top-30 visit. This time it was former Texas A&M Aggie McKinnley Jackson who made the trip up to Ohio.

McKinnley Jackson/DT/Texas A&M visiting the @Browns and @Bengals this week. Has 9 total official 30's.https://t.co/O1eA1LzOGP

— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) April 3, 2024

Several of the Browns defensive tackles on the current roster are on one or two-year deals, including Shelby Harris and Maurice Hurst. It is apparent that Cleveland would like one more player at that spot not only for 2024, but for the future of that position.

Prior to the Jackson visit, former Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. and former Texas defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat also visited the Browns' facility in Berea.

Despite playing the same position, each of these three guys bring vastly different qualities to a roster. Hall has lethal quickness and can add significant pass rush value from the interior. At only 290 pounds, he is not a massive run stopper. Sweat is the exact opposite, his massive 6'4" and 366 pound frame makes him a true nose tackle. He plugs rushing lanes and pushes the pocket but will not add much pass rush value.

As for McKinnley Jackson, he offers a balance between the other two prospects. At 326 pounds with a stout frame, he will likely be best suited at nose tackle in a 3-4 base defense. He could still be effective in a 4-3 base defense due to his ability to work off blockers, plug gaps and even sniff out screens quickly.

Jackson lacks elite lateral agility and lets offensive linemen get to his chest due to inconsistent hand usage.

He is my 113th ranked prospect overall and 12th ranked defensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft class. I expect to see him selected somewhere between the third and fifth round, meaning that Cleveland may have one or two shots at getting him.

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A&M defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson (DL11). / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

While in Ohio, Jackson also visited the Cincinnati Bengals this past week. Jackson may make more sense for Cincinnati as a direct replacement for the free agency loss of big 335 pound D.J. Reader.

If Cleveland ends up landing McKinnley Jackson, then he will likely be directly competing with Siaki Ika for playing time as depth behind Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst and potentially even Quinton Jefferson.