
#53 LB · Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1 transaction this offseason
Height
6'0"
Weight
235 lbs
Age
25
College
Iowa
Draft
Undrafted
Experience
0 yrs
LB Rank
#111 / 349
Grade this player:
| Year | Team | GP | Tkl | Sacks | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | ![]() | 3 | 2 | — | — |
| 2025 | ![]() | 3 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 |
Updated Mar 18, 2026
Length
2 years
Total Value
$2.1M
AAV
$1.1M/yr
This Nick Jackson signing earns an A- CVI and represents a legitimate steal for Tampa Bay in today's inflated linebacker market. The Buccaneers locked up a solid rotational linebacker for just $1.1M AAV over two years — remarkable value considering even fringe NFL linebackers are commanding $2-3M annually in free agency. Jackson provides exactly what you want from a depth piece: reliable special teams coverage, situational pass rush ability, and the versatility to step into different linebacker roles when injuries hit. The two-year structure gives Tampa Bay cost certainty through 2025 while avoiding any long-term risk if Jackson's production plateaus. At 26, he's entering his prime years without the hefty price tag that comes with established starters, making this the type of shrewd roster-building move that championship-caliber teams execute consistently.
Nick Jackson earns a D+ grade as a young linebacker earning playing time with the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay's linebacker corps has been competitive, and Jackson has found a role through effort and improving play. His tackling and run-defense contributions have been solid, though the coverage ability that would make him a three-down player needs work. The Buccaneers' defensive scheme demands versatility from its linebackers, and Jackson is developing those traits. He's a player whose value increases as his skill set expands.
A classic camp-body signing with minimal long-term upside for Tampa Bay's linebacker depth. Headlines show Jackson was repeatedly elevated as a game-day roster fill, signaling limited roster security. The most telling signal: he was ultimately cut, suggesting he never secured a permanent role. Fans noted his friendship with Ravens star Kyle Hamilton, making his NFL journey a feel-good storyline. Jackson projects as a fringe practice squad candidate with long odds of sticking on any 53-man roster.
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