Drake Jackson goes to the San Francisco 49ers in second round of 2022 NFL Draft
For the 10th time since 2011, USC has multiple draft picks in the first three rounds.
On Thursday night, it was Drake London going eighth overall to the Atlanta Falcons. On Friday night, edge Drake Jackson was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 61st pick (29th in the second round) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The 61st pick is in. @The99Athlete is heading to the @49ers!#USCtotheNFL #NFLDraft #FightOn✌️ pic.twitter.com/DhZ0FCbhN6
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) April 30, 2022
A 6-foot-3, 254-pound end, Jackson totaled 37 tackles, eight TFLs, and five sacks in 11 appearances last season for USC and earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 Second Team for his efforts. Jackson had his most productive season as a freshman in 2019 when he had 5.5 sacks and 11.5 TFLs in 11 games. For his career, he recorded 103 tackles, 25 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, four pass breakups, two picks, and a forced fumble in 28 appearances (26 starts).
The Corona, California, native will stay close to home with the 49ers, and he’ll join a defense that is searching for an end to line up opposite franchise cornerstone Nick Bosa.
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein described Jackson as a reactive, athletic edge with “backside quickness to beat reach block and tackle down the line,” and good bend off the corner.
The full scouting report:
Jackson lacks play strength but has the frame to add muscle and mass. He’s a loose-limbed, restless pass rusher with the activity level to find angles and openings in both his primary and secondary rush. However, he lacks successful counters to do it consistently against stronger tackles. Jackson also lacks the take-on toughness and functional anchor needed to hold up at the point on run downs. He has developmental rush potential, but needs a major upgrade in grit and technique against the run.