The NFL Draft is a night of high-stakes theater where lives change in the span of a single phone call. As the 2026 class prepares to walk across the stage in Pittsburgh tonight, the conversation often shifts to the evolution of the game and whether the powerhouse archetypes of the past still have a place in the modern era.
To get a pulse on the situation, I sat down with one of the most physically dominant forces to ever lace up a pair of cleats. Steven Jackson was more than just a running back; he was a human wrecking ball who defined an era of Rams football through sheer force of will and an unbreakable work ethic.
Jackson’s career is the stuff of legend and many argue that his bust belongs in Canton, Ohio. During his tenure in the NFL, he became the franchise’s all-time leading rusher and compiled eight consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards on the ground. That feat is a testament to his durability and a level of consistency that few in history have ever matched.
He retired with 11,438 rushing yards and nearly 70 total touchdowns while also proving to be an elite threat out of the backfield with 466 career receptions. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro who carried the weight of a city on his broad shoulders year after year.
Beyond the chalk lines, Jackson has transitioned into a sophisticated entrepreneur with a vision that extends far beyond the stadium lights. Now residing in Las Vegas, Nevada, he has leveraged his discipline into the business world and focuses on community empowerment and vertical brand growth. His journey from a first-round pick out of Oregon State to a mogul in the desert provides him with a unique lens through which to view the prospects being drafted tonight.
In our conversation, we discussed the “bell-cow” running back’s survival, the Rams’ strategic pivot after Aaron Donald and the player who carries the electric DNA of NBA superstar Ja Morant.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: We’ve seen the market for running backs shift dramatically since your playing days. Looking at the talent in this 2026 class, do you see a “bell-cow” back that reminds you of that physical, every-down style you brought to St. Louis? And why should a GM take that risk in the first round today?
Steven Jackson: You know, it’s a tough question because a lot of these young guys are now playing in multiple backfields where they have to share the ball. It’s not a true “bell-cow” being cultivated anymore and it’s a shame. All these young men have the capabilities if they know the playbook and don’t have to come off the field. But I think the stud of the backfield and the person who will likely have that three-down chance in this draft is Jeremiah Love. From there, it’s about how teams implement them and allow them to grow into that role.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: As the all-time leading rusher for the Rams, you’ve seen this franchise through many iterations. With the team now firmly in the post-Aaron Donald era, how much pressure is on the front office tonight to find a defensive identity? Or do you think they should double down on offensive weapons to support Matthew Stafford?
Steven Jackson: I think early in this particular draft, Les Snead is going to go offense. We’d love to have more pieces and while explosive receivers are few and far between, I’m thinking of Makai Lemon from USC. I believe he’d be a good pick at No. 13 for the Rams. We could also look at a quarterback like Ty Simpson from Alabama; let him learn from Stafford for a couple of years as Matthew nears 40. I think 13 is a luxury pick. We’ve done a great job in free agency building up the defense so I think Les goes offense there.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Tonight is often described as a business transaction, but as someone who lived it, the emotions are much deeper. For the kid whose name gets called tonight—especially one entering a locker room with heavy expectations—what is the one piece of advice you’d give them about protecting their mental health and staying grounded amidst the sudden fame?
Steven Jackson: This is my favorite question so far. To your point, there is going to be a lot of pressure on anyone going in the first round tonight, particularly at quarterback. My advice is that you have to have a sounding board—someone willing to be the “no” person. You’ll have a lot of outside demand from media, corporations and sponsorships but you have to be able to quiet the noise to learn the playbook. Remember what got you there. Be early because “on time” is late and be willing to stay late after practice to work on your craft. You’re entering a locker room where everyone is providing for their families with those paychecks. No one is going to just give you a job; you have to go out there and take it.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Steven, who is the NFL’s Ja Morant?
Steven Jackson: Oh, I don’t know about that one! I like Ja, he plays with a lot of passion. Obviously, there’s some things you’re probably looking into with that question… but I just think it’s about young people understanding the boundaries of wanting to “keep it real” and stay connected to things of the past, while looking at what your future could be. I don’t know if there’s truly a Ja Morant of the NFL; he’s one of a kind. It’s just a balance of knowing we all have to grow. It’s a tough thing, but you gotta go down that road by yourself—you can’t take everybody with you.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: I was actually talking about style of play!
Steven Jackson: Oh, man! I almost gave myself some trouble there, Scoop! [Laughs]. Style of play? Hmm. Bijan Robinson out of Atlanta. Bijan is nice. I think they have those athletic similarities—that explosive, “one-of-a-kind” movement.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Last question—Tell me about your barbershop.
Steven Jackson: The original barber school is something we started in Las Vegas. We’ve put out over 200 licensed barbers in the last four years and we’ve launched our own product lines. That’s what’s been keeping me busy off the field. It’s a business that offers vertical growth in the product space but it’s also about giving young people an education to become entrepreneurs. They can learn to fend for themselves in less than ten months even with no prior experience. It’s a great investment in the community. I’ve lived the dream and taken care of my family and now I want to help others do the same.
Jackson’s insight serves as a bridge between the grit of the early 2000s and the flash of the modern era. When he mentions Jeremiah Love as the potential heir to the bell-cow throne, he is speaking from the perspective of a man who knows exactly what it takes to carry a ball 300 times a year and still demand more. His comparison of Bijan Robinson to Ja Morant is particularly striking because it highlights a shift in how we perceive greatness. It is no longer just about the yards; it is about the “go-go gadget” athleticism and the ability to make the impossible look routine.
As the draft picks begin to fly tonight, the rookies would be wise to heed Jackson’s warnings about the “noise” of the league. The transition from a college star to a professional provider is a jarring one and Jackson’s emphasis on mental health and the “no” person in a player’s circle is more relevant today than ever. He has successfully navigated the pitfalls of fame to become a pillar of his community in Las Vegas and his barber school is a living example of how to build a legacy that does not rely on a jersey.
Ultimately, tonight is about more than just depth charts and scouting reports. It is about the continuation of a brotherhood that Jackson still champions. Whether the Rams find their next offensive spark or a young back emerges to reclaim the physical dominance Jackson once possessed, the standard remains the same. Steven Jackson played the game with a level of heart and violence that left an indelible mark on the NFL and as he watches from his home in Nevada, he remains the gold standard for what it means to be a professional both on and off the turf.
