The Niners are moving on from their top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The San Francisco 49ers are waiving former second-round pick Drake Jackson with a failed physical designation, moving on from their top selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. This comes days after Jackson said he’s looking forward to wreaking havoc in 2025.
Jackson is still nursing a knee injury that cost him the entire 2024 season. He is expected to be cleared by training camp.
The former USC product played in just 23 games over three seasons with the 49ers. He saw 15 games of action as a rookie, recording three sacks, three tackles for loss, and eight pass breakups. Then, he played in only eight games in 2023, recording three sacks, before missing the entire 2024 season.
San Francisco is now moving on, netting another loss from their 2022 NFL Draft class. The 49ers have now released each of their first three selections: Drake Jackson (second-round pick), Tyrion Davis-Price (third-round pick), and Danny Gray (third-round pick).
Looking back at that class, the 49ers have struggled to get much production, with Brock Purdy turning out as the only starter from that group, even though he was a seventh-round pick.
Jackson, Davis-Price, and Gray had limited production. Spencer Burford was a two-year starter but lost his job to Jon Feliciano and Dominick Puni over the past few seasons. Samuel Womack was released before getting a starting role with the Indianapolis Colts. Nick Zakelj and Kalia Davis have rarely seen the field. And Tariq Castro-Fields was released before taking a snap with the 49ers.
Jackson was touted as a pick with upside coming out of the 2022 NFL Draft, thanks to his unique bend and athleticism for a defensive end; however, injuries were his kryptonite, as the second-round pick dealt with a flurry of knee issues that have cost him significant time over the past two years.
Now, he’ll look for another team heading into his fourth year in the NFL.