SANTA CLARA, Calif. — After ending his rookie season as a pregame inactive for five of the final San Francisco 49ers, Drake Jackson sat down with defensive line coach Chris Kukorek in an exit meeting.
Kocurek told Jackson where he thought he stood in the defensive line’s defensive standings, asked Jackson how he viewed himself and asked Jackson to provide the date he would return to practice. Kujurek hoped that after their conversation, Jackson would get back to work sooner.
The history Jackson made wasn’t long in coming after the Niners lost on January 29 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. Kujurek was satisfied with the answer but it didn’t matter what was said if action did not follow.
“I just told him, ‘It’s getting to the point where I hit the start button on my truck in the morning on my way to work and [I shouldn’t have to think] “I hope Drake is out there and working hard,” Kujrek said. It should just be, ‘I know he’s out there working hard.'”
The 49ers used a second round pick—61st overall—on Jackson in the 2022 NFL Draft with an eye on the future. The Niners prioritized building the defensive line under head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch but had no preconceived notions about Jackson’s rookie role. If he had won the primary quest against Nick Bossa, it would be considered a reward.
But the Niners were well aware that fellow defensive ends Samson Ipokam, Charles Omeniho and Jordan Willis would be free agents after the season. At worst, the hope was that Jackson could gain valuable experience and be ready to start in year two.
Jackson’s promise early last year — he posted three sacks in his first six games — but dwindled as the season went on. What caused this shrinkage? Shanahan noted that Jackson’s body was not prepared for a long NFL season.
“Toward the end of the season, I would say my body is not the same as it was at the start of the season,” Jackson said. “I know of course it will wear out, but I feel like I haven’t had enough, so I just keep working and trying to get what I need for the rest of the season.”
Weighing in at around 252 pounds for most of his rookie season, Jackson finished with 14 tackles, three sacks, and an interception while averaging 20.1 steals in 15 games. His pass win rate is rated at 8.5% and pressure rate at 3.8% is well below the rest of the Niners’ regular defensemen.
Ebukam (20.7% PRWR, 6.8% pressure rate) and Omenihu (16.4% PRWR, 7.5% pressure rate) far surpassed Jackson when it came to getting a quarterback. Jackson fared a bit better than expected against the run, posting a 27.3% win rate in stopping runs which is in line with other sides of the team, but the Niners’ desire for him to add direct collegiate ties fuels their need for him to be on top of the list. More scope and greater workload.
“When they sat me down, I had to cut myself out of the game and see what was going on that I had to do,” Jackson said. “It kind of helped me because instead of being angry or sad about being kicked out of the game, I discovered things I needed to do to help myself improve myself even more.”
Jackson’s work in the weight room has led to significant off-season gains. Jackson estimates that he weighs around 265 pounds and wants to play in the 260 to 265 range. Perhaps most importantly, Jackson is focused on increasing his strength in order to better take on larger offensive linemen. That has translated into the weight room, where Jackson is putting up numbers he’s never hit before.
Drake’s father, Dennis Jackson, has always given his son a hard time not being able to lift more, but that teasing has slowed him down this season. Jackson bench presses 315 pounds on two or three reps and squats 415 pounds on six repetitions.
“Regardless of whether you’re the best in the business or trying to fight your way up as an undrafted free agent, it’s a mediocre game,” Kocurek said. “Sometimes it takes humbling experience to really see that you need to put your best foot forward and improve on the things you need to improve to become the player you know you can be and envision yourself.”
To that end, Kocurek has been right by Jackson’s side throughout the offseason program, checking on him to make sure he “stacks the days” rather than “letting the days pile up” with him.
The sooner he is able to do that, the better chance that Jackson will get his first crack at becoming a bossa’s agent. The Niners have made multiple changes to the defensive line in the offseason, signing defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a four-year, $81 million deal in March. San Francisco also invited Ebukam (Indianapolis Colts), Omenihu (Kansas City Chiefs) and Willis (Las Vegas Raiders).
All of this means there’s a clear path for Jackson to start a job on a line that also boasts Hargrave, Bosa and Eric Armstead, and which should leave plenty of individual opportunities for whoever wins the other defensive job. Jackson will face competition from free agent extras Keene Ferrell and Austin Bryant, as well as returning player Kerry Hyder Jr. and rookie Robert Bell Jr.
For now, Jackson says he’s not interested in winning the first job, but there’s no doubting what the outlook is for him.
“He will definitely have a bigger role this year,” Armstead said. “We’ve had some major losses along the D line and I’m excited for him and he has a chance this year. He’s been working extremely hard this season and putting himself in the best position possible to be successful… This year will be a huge leap for him. I’m excited to see it and we Definitely need it.”