Where is Landon Jackson ???

[BillsFanForever19]

7 hours ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Although I think Solomon is the guy we’ll see increased reps situationally on passing downs and in the NASCAR package (as he was pre-Hoecht), it’s undeniable that in stature LJ is the closest to a Hoecht clone we have waitin in the wings.

 

Tall, explosive, heavy enough to rush from the interior vs guards. I don’t know that he has the right combination or leverage and converting his explosiveness to power but it will be interesting to see if they try it. I imagine a 6’6” Jackson rushing up the interior could be frustrating if he can move the pocket back at all. 
 

Worst case can he come in and help out on early downs, because Solomon is not a 3 down option at DE imo 

 

Calling Landon Jackson a "Michael Hoecht clone" or even the closest to it we're going to get is insanely funny. It's like Khalil Shakir going down and saying "let's hope Keon Coleman can be a Shakir clone as our quick, shifty, elusive Slot".

 

Michael Hoecht and Landon Jackson aren't even close to the same player. Hoecht is world's more athletic. World's more versatile. Landon Jackson is a standard put your hand in the ground Edge Rusher. One of the biggest knocks in his Draft profile was that he's "a little stiff", "robotic", and "not very athletic". You're not going to see him playing a Joker role. Hoecht was playing all over the line for us (and had played LB and even DB on some snaps in the past with the Rams). That's how athletic Hoecht was. Landon Jackson isn't going to be doing *any* of that. If Landon Jackson had near the kind of athleticism that Hoecht had, then he would be active every week as the 4th Defensive End and playing Special Teams, instead of Javon Solomon. They don't see him being able to play Teams for a reason.

 

Like Sal said, there's no one on the roster that can fill the role Hoecht was playing. Least of all not Jackson. Jackson will see more activations than he was going to as a Defensive End with Hoecht out and hopefully that will help his development. But replacing Hoecht is a two man job. They'll likely add another DT and it wouldn't surprise me if they just carried one more for the rotation there, instead of regularly activating Jackson.

Edited 5 hours ago by BillsFanForever19

[Chandler#81]

If EVER there’ll be an opportunity for LJ to step up and show he belongs, that time is Now! We need him to be a difference maker and his unique skill set from college certainly suggests he’s capable. 
🤞

[EmotionallyUnstable]

1 hour ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Calling Landon Jackson a "Michael Hoecht clone" or even the closest to it we're going to get is insanely funny. It's like Khalil Shakir going down and saying "let's hope Keon Coleman can be a Shakir clone as our quick, shifty, elusive Slot".

 

Michael Hoecht and Landon Jackson aren't even close to the same player. Hoecht is world's more athletic. World's more versatile. Landon Jackson is a standard put your hand in the ground Edge Rusher. One of the biggest knocks in his Draft profile was that he's "a little stiff", "robotic", and "not very athletic". You're not going to see him playing a Joker role. Hoecht was playing all over the line for us (and had played LB and even DB on some snaps in the past with the Rams). That's how athletic Hoecht was. Landon Jackson isn't going to be doing *any* of that. If Landon Jackson had near the kind of athleticism that Hoecht had, then he would be active every week as the 4th Defensive End and playing Special Teams, instead of Javon Solomon. They don't see him being able to play Teams for a reason.

 

Like Sal said, there's no one on the roster that can fill the role Hoecht was playing. Least of all not Jackson. Jackson will see more activations than he was going to as a Defensive End with Hoecht out and hopefully that will help his development. But replacing Hoecht is a two man job. They'll likely add another DT and it wouldn't surprise me if they just carried one more for the rotation there, instead of regularly activating Jackson.

First off, I did not say he was an exact replica, but closest we have from a measurables standpoint. The tale of the tape doesn’t lie. From a statue standpoint they are similar in height, arm length and weight. Jackson IS athletic. He has a similar 40 to Hoecht and a much better vertical. His RAS score is very good. I did acknowledge his limitations, specifically his lower body strength and how he may struggle to turn his explosiveness into power in the interior. 
 

Quoting what Hoecht did with the Rams is insignificant in his role to the Bills, aside from highlighting his athleticism. Hoecht was playing your traditional DE and a designated pass rusher on 3rd or obvious passing downs. He is not a DT, and adding one to replace what he did is in no way a better option that giving Jackson a look. No more than we should add another LB because Hoecht played OLB with the rams.
 

When Hoecht went down it was a combination on Dorian and Solomon replacing that role, not a DT. They are trying to get more athletic during the pass rush, not add size. Again, my original post previously stated I think Solomon is most likely to return to this role. I was curious if others thought it to be an option because of some of his similar characteristics to Hoecht, but clearly you do not. 
 

Special teams aside, they’ve carried 5 DEs the last two weeks with Hoecht, so it is within the realm of possibility they will look to continue with those numbers. 
 

I don’t think it’s all that crazy to contemplate a recent 3rd round pick, who despite your opinion, was regularly spoken as being athletic in power and size. He isn’t bendy, or quick twitch, and although Hoecht had some of those qualities, it doesn’t eliminate Jackson from contention to earn more snaps. 
 

As I said, I am thinking that those snaps will be more as a traditional DE in place of Solomon because he is not a valid 3 down option on the edge. 

[BuffaloBill]

Sadly, Jackson has shown nothing so far. Hopefully in this upcoming offseason he and the Bills coaches figure it out. 

[Brand J]

4 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Calling Landon Jackson a "Michael Hoecht clone" or even the closest to it we're going to get is insanely funny. It's like Khalil Shakir going down and saying "let's hope Keon Coleman can be a Shakir clone as our quick, shifty, elusive Slot".

 

Michael Hoecht and Landon Jackson aren't even close to the same player. Hoecht is world's more athletic. World's more versatile. Landon Jackson is a standard put your hand in the ground Edge Rusher. One of the biggest knocks in his Draft profile was that he's "a little stiff", "robotic", and "not very athletic". You're not going to see him playing a Joker role. Hoecht was playing all over the line for us (and had played LB and even DB on some snaps in the past with the Rams). That's how athletic Hoecht was. Landon Jackson isn't going to be doing *any* of that. If Landon Jackson had near the kind of athleticism that Hoecht had, then he would be active every week as the 4th Defensive End and playing Special Teams, instead of Javon Solomon. They don't see him being able to play Teams for a reason.

 

Like Sal said, there's no one on the roster that can fill the role Hoecht was playing. Least of all not Jackson. Jackson will see more activations than he was going to as a Defensive End with Hoecht out and hopefully that will help his development. But replacing Hoecht is a two man job. They'll likely add another DT and it wouldn't surprise me if they just carried one more for the rotation there, instead of regularly activating Jackson.

 

Quote

 

Landon Jackson is a DE prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.88 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 23 out of 1802 DE from 1987 to 2025.

Actually I’d wager that Landon Jackson is much more athletic than Michael Hoecht, but he plays much stiffer and less fluid, so his test numbers haven’t seemed to translate to the field yet. We need him to step his game up in the worst way. Maybe he’ll get another opportunity and the light will come on. Remember, he’s not a bum, he was highly productive in the SEC and whipped some good tackle prospects, including the 4th overall pick in the draft.

 

EDIT: just looked up Hoecht’s RAS, it was 0.05 better than Jackson, a 9.93, so I would’ve lost that wager. 

Edited 1 hour ago by Brand J

[Big Turk]

Earn your jersey young buck. Ask Kair Elam. Nothing on this team is handed to you.

Edited 1 hour ago by Big Turk

[HansLanda]

Preaching to the choir here, but third round picks - even on elite teams - need to get on the field. Maybe he doesnt bring much for special teams? Maybe a body transform situation like AJ had to do, maybe a combo?