At 6-foot-4 and 263 pounds, Brennan Jackson offers prototypical length and size as an outside rush linebacker. And it’s those measurements that project towards a versatile stand-up or hands-in-the-dirt defender depending on the alignment or package.
Thus far, though, Jackson’s NFL career has been anything but prototypical.
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A fifth-round pick (154th overall) by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Washington State product became a Las Vegas Raiders waiver claim in late August of 2025. Jackson played sparingly in his rookie season in L.A. and ditto in Las Vegas. Notching 47 special teams snaps (none on defense) in 2025, the Ohio native tallied just three special teams tackles in three games before landing on injured reserve in October with a foot injury.
Now healthy, the 25-year-old linebacker (26 on October 14) is back in the mix with the Raiders going from a 4-3 base defensive front to a 3-4 under first-year defensive coordinator Rob Leonard. Jackson now must parlay his ideal physical traits into tangible offseason production to merit roster considerations. As this isn’t the barebones crew that general manager John Spytek assembled last offseason. Under new head coach Klint Kubiak, significant funds and scouting were used to assemble a roster.
And it’ll be an uphill climb for Jackson (and several others) to carve out a role. He will be fighting for a reserve rusher role on defense with special teams his best bet.
By The Numbers
Brennan Jackson, Linebacker
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2025: 3 games (zero starts), 3 total tackles (2 solo).
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Career: (2024-25), 10 games (1 start), 6 total tackles (4 solo).
In five seasons at Washington State (2019-23), the Ohio native worked his way into the starting lineup by his junior year in 2021. His highest statistical output was his senior season where Jackson played in 12 games, racked up 57 total tackles (26 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three pass deflections and four fumble recoveries which netted him three touchdown returns for a whopping 116 yards in total return yardage.
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The production and traits Jackson showcased with the Cougars are in-line with the attacking nature Leonard is installing this offseason for his upcoming defense in 2026.
But even with the Raiders shipping off Tyree Wilson to the New Orleans Saints, the team reconstitute its numbers at the linebacker and edge rusher spots. The Maxx Crosby trade fell through and the elite rusher remains in Silver & Black. The team also inked free agent Kwity Paye, re-signed Malcolm Koonce, drafted Keyron Crawford in the third round. At linebacker, Las Vegas added Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker in free agency.
If the Raiders were to have five rushers on the 53-man roster, the fight for that spot lies between Jackson, undrafted rookie Cian Slone (6-foot-3, 239 pounds), and second-year UDFA Jahfari Harvey (6-foot-2, 255 pounds). Of those three, Jackson is the biggest and it’s his size that profiles him as a good fit behind Paye as a power/strong side linebacker option that can maintain the edge, stuff the run, and get after the quarterback when giving rush opportunities.
Nary another Raiders edge rusher comes close to the stockier 6-foot-3 and 265-pound frame that Paye offers and Jackson is closest to that. The younger player must showcase the same stand-up and hands-in-the-dirt versatility that the veteran offers to make his case.
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In minimal NFL snaps, Jackson showed fleeting moments of pass rush ability and high-motor effort. That relentlessness is a common trait amongst defenders — especially on the Raiders’ defensive front. Maximizing offseason and preseason snaps is a must-do for Jackson as he fights to get attention.
However, as mentioned above, the reserve roles on defense (ditto for offense) often require said players to be special teams-worthy. Like Kubiak’s offense and Leonard’s defense, special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis is in the process of righting the wrongs from the previous season.
Jackson must outshine his competition on special teams — prove he’s a worthy candidate to once again be a core member of the various units on DeCamillis’ side of the ball. As a late-August add last season, Jackson was able to do just that. Slone and Harvey have the same opportunities to shine with given reps and if Jackson isn’t on point, he can be left behind, despite prototypical physical traits.
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But this go-around with the Raiders, the depth isn’t as precarious.
Case-in-point: The free agent additions of special teams dynamos in linebacker Segun Olubi and wide receiver Dareke Young. Olubi, who comes from the Indianapolis Colts, and Young, from the Seattle Seahawks, are impact special teamers who created turnovers or give their respective teams excellent field position as core special teamers.
“He’s a difference maker type guy. He’s blocked punts in the league. He obviously had one against the Raiders last year,” DeCamillis said when asked about Olubi after the team’s minicamp session this past Wednesday. “He’s a guy that is twitchy, he’s a guy that has already shown what he can do on the field, and he’s brought a lot to the to the group for us already. So, it’s going to be good to coach him. I’m excited we have him.”
There’s also the “Bergs”, homegrown linebackers Tommy Eichenberg (2024 fifth-round pic, 148th overall) and Cody Lindenberg (2025 seventh-round pick, 222nd overall) who have carve out a nifty niche as core special teamers.
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Thus, you can see how Jackson has a steep climb to make the initial 53-man roster come cut day.
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