Did The 49ers Find The Steal Of The 2022 NFL Draft?
Teamed up with fellow DE Nick Bosa, 49ers rookie Drake Jackson has the opportunity to develop into San Francisco’s next elite pass rusher
The 2022 NFL Draft was a different experience for San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan. This was the first year the duo entered the draft without having a selection in the top half of the first round. As a byproduct of their 2019 trade for new starting quarterback Trey Lance, the 49ers lacked a first-day pick, and were forced to wait until the end of the second round before the formal announcement was made, “The San Francisco 49ers are on the clock.”
“With the 61st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select Drake Jackson, linebacker, USC…” Even the NFL was confused about the Niners’ new EDGE, as he was properly identified by NFLNetwork during the announcement.
Finding an edge rusher who can consistently disrupt opposing quarterbacks is one of the most difficult — and essential — tasks for a team’s front office to achieve. During their six years in the Bay Area, Lynch and Shanahan have placed a huge emphasis on addressing the defensive line early in the draft; The 49ers’ first pick was a defensive lineman in four of those six drafts, continuing a franchise trend that extended two additional years before their arrival. Given the draft capital spent, it’s no surprise the Niners’ defensive line is one of the league’s best units.
Why Did Drake Jackson Fall To The 49ers?
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Jackson was viewed as a first-round talent as recently as the 2021 college football season, when analysts such as ESPN’s Todd McShay mocked him to the Cleveland Browns, pairing him with another top NFL EDGE in Myles Garrett; A year later, and throughout the “mock draft season,” Jackson wasn’t even in the first-round conversation.
We’ll never know how good Jackson would have become if he was simply allowed to remain in the position where he thrived as a freshman. Instead of insight into his potential upside, what we did learn is Jackson is not an NFL-caliber linebacker. The standout-turned-afterthought was still present on most teams’ draft boards, but nowhere near the top, despite his agent’s claim that “multiple teams” believed Jackson was destined to be a surprise first-round selection:
Each year, unexpected players sneak into round one. One possibility this year is USC pass rusher Drake Jackson, whose agent Drew Rosenhaus said that “multiple teams” predicted to him Wednesday that Jackson – who had 15 top 30 visits – “would be a surprise first-round pick.” — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 28, 2022
Despite his agent’s claims, Jackson’s name wasn’t called on Day 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft, nor was he quickly selected the following day. Pick after pick, Jackson waited for his name to be called, but he remained on the board until the end of the second round — where the 49ers were fortunate enough to snatch him at pick No. 61.
It remains unclear whether Jackson was the Niners’ original preference, given the current regime’s proclivity to trade up for their player-of-choice. However, perhaps Shanahan and Lynch learned a lesson about patience from the mistakes they made, particularly during their first two drafts, as all four of their “trade-up” selections were significant failures. Regardless of their initial intent at the start of the draft, the 49ers’ franchise hopes the pair will eventually be able to look back fondly at their good fortune.
Usually, when a player’s draft stock plunges, the reason behind the sharp fall is obvious, with character concerns or injuries being the main culprits, as well as the occasional surprisingly-poor performance at the combine.
Jackson didn’t fall in the 2022 draft due to any of the aforementioned reasons. Perhaps a feeble argument exists that Jackson could have been more productive while playing in the wrong role, but the blame for his lack of development truly falls solely on the shoulders of the members of the USC coaching staff during the end of the Clay Helton era. If Jackson is guilty of anything, his lone crime is his uncanny athleticism:
The #49ers need to bring back the Richie James Victory Formation (we can all agree on that) The real question: Which Niner replaces Richie? Who gets your vote? Me? I’m ride-or-die with the big man @The99Athlete, now No. 95. Reply/DM. I’ll tally & let Shanny know. Who you got? pic.twitter.com/iZM7vvvAz3 — Chris Wilson (@cgawilson) August 22, 2022
Usage At USC Benefits 49ers On Draft Day
Throughout Jackson’s college career, the USC coaching staff failed to develop him into a defensive force off the edge, or attempt to mold him into a future NFL star — and both the team and player suffered. Before the start of his college career in 2019, Jackson initially bulked up to his present weight so he could play in his natural position: defensive end. Related, his best college season was his freshmen year, when in 11 games, he totaled 46 tackles, 11.5 tackles-for-loss, 5.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and one forced fumble. At the time, his football future was bright.
USC’s coaching staff rewarded Jackson with a position change and a new diet plan. After losing 30 pounds, Jackson was better in coverage at his new outside linebacker position — logging interceptions in each of his following seasons — but was less effective over fewer reps as a pass rusher. A sophomore campaign shortened by COVID-19, and mid-season coaching turnover during his junior season didn’t help the defender’s cause.
When Jackson arrived at USC, he was a remarkable athlete requiring additional pass-rushing experience. When he left school to enter the draft, he was a remarkable athlete requiring additional pass-rushing experience — who was three years older. After quickly adding 30 pounds back to his frame, Jackson is physically prepared to become the defensive end he was born to be.
Aside from the occasional “Fire Zone Blitz,” Jackson’s days of dropping into coverage are over. Although raw, his talent and athleticism are immediately evident; and with experience and proper coaching, the sky is the limit for the youngster. Luckily for Jackson, his pair of “lost” seasons could end up being a blessing in disguise since he fell into a perfect situation for an NFL pass rusher to maximize his potential.
The “Kris Kocurek Effect”
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Under San Francisco’s defensive line coach Kris Kocurek’s leadership and instruction, the 49ers’ primary four-man pass rush is among the best in the NFL. Kocurek gets the most out of his personnel, and — through both scheme and coaching — creates opportunities for his linemen to shine their brightest. In turn, defensive linemen have an uncanny pattern of playing their best football and having “career years” under his watch. Oddly, these defenders often revert to pre-Kocurek form upon departure.
As a prime example, the 49ers signed veteran defensive lineman Kerry Hyder to a one-year deal after a disappointing one-sack “prove it” season with the Dallas Cowboys. The veteran proceeded to lead the 49ers in sacks — by a wide margin — in 2020.
The Seattle Seahawks, in their neverending quest to acquire as many former 49ers as possible, gleefully signed Hyder to a two-year deal that doubled his salary. One year later to the date, Hyder was back in Santa Clara to sign a new inexpensive deal that costs less than the Seahawks gave up in “Dead Money” against the salary cap by terminating Hyder’s contract.
Or, more simply, the Seahawks are “paying” more than the 49ers are for Kerry Hyder’s services this season.
The true test of whether Kuceruc has the “magic touch” will be Hyder’s performance in 2022. As such, during the season, fans should pay special attention to their former leading pass rusher.
On the opposite side of the coin, another player to watch is Jacksonville Jaguars DL Arden Key, a former Las Vegas Raiders third-round draft pick who — as a rotational defensive lineman for the 49ers last year — doubled his previous career sack total. A repeat performance in Jacksonville is unlikely, despite Key’s shocking one-year contract, which will cost the Jaguars between $4 million and $7 million, depending on incentives. Thanks to his brief stint in San Francisco, Key is guaranteed to make more money in 2022 than his total earnings over the remainder of his career. Unfortunately for Kocurek, he is precluded from receiving his cut of the deal.
Kocurek’s talents extend beyond his ability to turn journeymen into quality contributors; defensive lineman Arik Armstead has recently blossomed into one of the most dependable talents in the league, defensive end Nick Bosa remains among the NFL’s elite pass rushers, and former-backup tackle D.J. Jones is now a star for the Denver Broncos — and $30 million richer.
Bosa was nearly a finished product when he entered the league, making Drake Jackson the best young, raw prospect Kocurek’s had the opportunity to mold and fully develop during his time in San Francisco. The “wide-9” fronts the 49ers often utilize, particularly on obvious passing downs, are golden for pass rushers with speed and bend, causing nightmares for offensive tackles.
Jackson has the physical gifts necessary to flourish in the 49ers’ defensive system. Under Kocurek, and across from Bosa, who demands the attention of at least two blockers, Jackson couldn’t have chosen a better location to land during the 2022 NFL Draft.
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