The defensive tackle position in this year’s draft is widely considered to be lacking in depth. Despite this, there are some late-round gems to be found that can contribute at the next level. One of those players in the 2021 NFL Draft is Oregon defensive tackle Jordon Scott. An experienced run-stopper, can Scott hear his name called on Day 3 in Cleveland?
Jordon Scott NFL Draft Player Profile
- Position: Defensive Tackle
- School: Oregon
- Current Year: Senior
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 311 pounds
Tony Pauline’s Jordon Scott Scouting Report
Positives: Four-year starter who lost 40 pounds before his senior season. Large, powerful nose tackle prospect who holds his ground in the middle of the field. Takes up a lot of room, plays with leverage and is impossible to move from the point of attack. Holds his ground against double and even triple-teams. Keeps his feet moving, works his hands and shows power at the point of attack.
Negatives: More of a gap occupier than a playmaker. Seemed to lose an edge last year with all the weight loss.
Analysis: Scott is a nose tackle prospect with the girth and power to play the position at the next level. He lacks great upside, but is a polished prospect for a defense needing someone to occupy blockers in the middle of the field.
Jordon Scott Player Profile
Although Scott heads to the 2021 NFL Draft out of Oregon, his journey started some 3,000 miles away in Largo, Florida. He made an early impact for Pinellas Park High School. While most high school players emerge during their junior season, Scott had already registered 49 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks as a high school sophomore.
With a solid base, the junior’s breakout season was spectacular. The defensive tackle earned first-team Florida Class 7A All-State honors after wreaking havoc in Pinellas County. He amassed an incredible 28 tackles for loss and 9 sacks as part of 84 total tackles. Furthermore, he flashed strength and the ability to be disruptive with 3 forced fumbles.
Although his senior season wasn’t as productive, the three-star recruit attracted attention from across the nation. He received interest from a number of in-state programs, including Florida and Florida State. Eventually, Scott opted to play defensive tackle for the Oregon Ducks over offers from 20 different programs.
Jordon Scott’s college football career at Oregon
Just as in his high school career, Scott made an immediate impact at defensive tackle for Oregon. After seeing playing time in the first two games, he became a full-time starter for the remainder of his freshman season.
Demonstrating a maturity beyond his years, Scott played over 400 snaps without penalty. Having logged his first career sack against California, he totaled 34 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks in a freshman season that saw him earn FWAA Freshman All-American recognition.
Scott’s freshman season as an Oregon defensive tackle set the foundation for a stellar four-year career. Scott built on his reputation as a mature player, being named a team captain for two games in his sophomore season, and hee would repeat that honor as a junior. Furthermore, he received honors from Pac-12 coaches as an honorable mention to the All-Pac-12 team.
Throughout his career, Scott enhanced his high school reputation as a run-stopper. In his first three seasons, he recorded at least 3 tackles for loss every year. Additionally, his impact against the run wasn’t always apparent in the box score. Although he didn’t put up gaudy numbers, Scott helped Oregon rank 13th nationally against the run in 2019.
Even amongst the disruption of the 2020 college football season, Scott sailed past 40 starts as a defensive tackle for Oregon.
Jordon Scott’s best fits in the 2021 NFL Draft
As a result, he heads to the 2021 NFL Draft as one of the most experienced defensive tackle prospects available. He may be a little undersized for the NFL and doesn’t offer much in the way of a pass-rush threat, but his experience and skillset against the run should ensure he receives some interest from NFL teams.
Whether that interest comes as a draft pick or as an undrafted free agent remains to be seen. Nevertheless, there is a chance that Scott can carve out a role as an early-down rotational player at the next level.
Some teams that could benefit from his skillset include the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Green Bay Packers. Additionally, both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars would present an option of returning to his Florida roots.
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Oliver Hodgkinson is a staff writer for Pro Football Network. You can follow him on Twitter at @ojhodgkinson.