San Francisco 49ers defensive end Drake Jackson enjoyed a quality rookie season in 2022, recording 3.0 sacks as a rotational defender. Jackson was expected to take a sizable step forward as a sophomore in 2023. That prevailing thought did not come to fruition, making the impending 2024 campaign make-or-break.
Jackson thrived under the tutelage of defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans in 2022. A change at DC, paired with injuries and inconsistent play, completely derailed Jackson’s second season. He never seemed to gain a foothold in Steve Wilks’ defense.
After playing 315 snaps in 2022, Jackson’s snap count plummeted to 199 in 2023—less than 20% of all 49ers defensive plays. It was a completely unforeseen development after Jackson recorded 3.0 sacks in a blowout Week 1 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He didn’t record another sack all season long.
Jackson's weekly snap totals showcase a defender the coaching staff lost faith in as the season progressed. Jackson averaged 34.75 snaps per game through the first four weeks. That number experienced a drastic freefall to 15 snaps per outing from Weeks 5-8. Jackson was then placed on season-ending IR with a knee injury in early November. The 23-year-old defensive end concluded the season with a 38.9 grade as a run defender from Pro Football Focus.
The idea heading into the season was for Jackson to serve as a complementary pass rusher opposite Nick Bosa. Wilks was searching for a pass-rushing specialist and hoped Jackson could fill that role. He accumulated just 14 pressures.
The 49ers acquired Randy Gregory and Chase Young via trade before Jackson landed on IR. Lineup changes were decided due to the former USC Trojan continuously giving the 49ers ineffective snaps. Young and Gregory were going to lessen Jackson's involvement even if he had been healthy.
The 2024 season will represent a much-needed fresh start for Jackson. Head coach Kyle Shanahan decided to part ways with Wilks after the Super Bowl defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs. Nick Sorensen was appointed as Shanahan's new defensive coordinator. Jackson will play for his third defensive coordinator in as many campaigns.
Significant changes have been made to the depth chart as well. Gregory and Young were short-term rentals, with both defenders signing elsewhere in unrestricted free agency. Arik Armstead, Clelin Ferrell, and Javon Kinlaw also departed. General manager John Lynch did sign a pair of pass-rushing replacements in Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos, however.
Floyd’s deal was a lucrative two-year contract worth $20 million. It signaled lingering hesitancy regarding Jackson's development. Jackson and Gross-Matos will battle for rotational duties behind Bosa and Floyd, who'll serve as unquestioned starters.
Jackson has displayed long-term potential in brief flashes. Unfortunately, his bright moments have been few and far between, often sandwiched between unavailability and/or ineffectiveness. Midway through 2023, and now going into this season, the 49ers have acquired four notable defensive ends, highlighting a lack of belief in Jackson. It's legitimately sink-or-swim for the former top-64 selection.
