Drake Jackson Gets a Fresh Start in Washington - And the 49ers Might Be Watching Closely
The NFL doesn’t hand out second chances easily. But when they come, they tend to carry a certain weight - especially when they involve a once-promising pass rusher trying to rewrite his story. That’s exactly where Drake Jackson finds himself now, as the former 49ers second-round pick prepares to suit up for the Washington Commanders.
Jackson has officially been activated from injured reserve and added to Washington’s 53-man roster ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. It marks a significant step for a player whose career, to this point, has been defined more by flashes and frustration than sustained production.
Let’s rewind. The 49ers grabbed Jackson in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the hope he could grow into a dynamic bookend opposite Nick Bosa.
On paper, it made sense - Jackson had the size, athleticism, and raw pass-rushing tools that screamed upside. And early on, there were glimpses.
In his rookie season, Jackson played in 15 games, tallying three sacks, 14 total tackles, and even snagging an interception. Not eye-popping numbers, but enough to keep the optimism alive.
Then came the 2023 opener - and for a moment, it looked like the breakout was here. Jackson racked up three sacks against the Steelers in Week 1, tormenting Kenny Pickett and looking every bit the disruptive force the 49ers envisioned.
But just as quickly as the rise came, the fall followed. Jackson didn’t record another sack the rest of the season.
By November, he was placed on injured reserve. A patellar tendon injury required surgery, and he spent all of 2024 rehabbing.
When May of 2025 rolled around, San Francisco made the call to move on.
Enter Adam Peters - the Commanders’ general manager and a familiar face from Jackson’s past. Peters was part of the 49ers’ front office when Jackson was drafted, and he clearly hadn’t forgotten what the young edge rusher once showed. Taking a flier on Jackson now isn’t just a reunion - it’s a calculated bet that there’s still something there.
And it might be a smart one, especially considering Washington’s need for pass-rushing depth. Jackson’s ceiling hasn’t changed; the question is whether the injuries and inconsistency have lowered the floor too far. Sunday could offer the first real answer.
Meanwhile, back in San Francisco, there’s no denying the timing is tough. With Nick Bosa out for the year due to a torn ACL and rookie Mykel Williams also sidelined, the 49ers are scrambling to generate pressure. The current rotation - Bryce Huff, Keion White, and Clelin Ferrell - is doing what it can, but the drop-off is noticeable.
Ferrell, to his credit, has stepped up more than most expected. But this is a team that’s built its identity around a dominant defensive front, and right now, that identity is hanging by a thread.
There’s no cavalry coming. The 49ers have to roll with what they’ve got.
That’s why Jackson’s situation is worth watching - not just for Washington, but for San Francisco too. If he flashes even a portion of the potential that once made him a second-round pick, there will be some understandable second-guessing inside Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers took a swing on Jackson, saw a spark, and then let him walk.
Now, it’s up to Jackson to prove that spark can still catch fire. Sunday is the first chance in a long time to show he’s more than a footnote in the 49ers’ draft history - and maybe, just maybe, the start of a new chapter in D.C.