The 2023 season was supposed to be a huge one for San Francisco 49ers defensive end Drake Jackson.
After an up and down rookie year, the 49ers' top pick in 2022 — taken 61st overall in the second round —was targeting an ascension in year two.
It looked likely to happen when he had three sacks in the 49ers' Week 1 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he did not have a sack the rest of the way as he was placed on injured reserve after eight games. Having played at least 44 percent of the defensive snaps in each of the first four games of the year, Jackson featured on just 16 percent in his final appearance of the season.
He then underwent knee surgery in December and played the role of spectator as the 49ers went all the way to Super Bowl 58, losing in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs, with the likes of Chase Young and Randy Gregory playing at the defensive end spot across from Nick Bosa.
But with Young, Gregory and Clelin Ferrell, who suffered a knee injury in Week 18, all bound for free agency, Jackson and last year's fifth-round pick Robert Beal Jr. are the primary options behind Bosa as it stands. The 49ers do have five defensive ends signed to reserve/futures contracts, but of that quintet only Austin Bryant, a free agent signing last offseason, is likely to contend to make the roster.
The 49ers will undoubtedly add to the position this offseason, but the potential departures of Young, Gregory and Ferrell raise the pressure on Jackson to have a big year three.
Thankfully he is set to be healthy to attack that challenge, recently revealing that is closing in on a return and will be ready in time for training camp in July.
"I'll be out there some time this spring. I can't wait," Jackson told NBC Sports Bay Area. "I'm going to be ready for training camp, for sure.
"I can't wait to just be on the field and be with my guys. The last four weeks, I wasn't with the team at all. I missed bonding with my guys and being in the locker room and laughing. I just can't wait to be back in the swing of things and playing football."
Seen as a potential steal when they landed him in the second round, Jackson has only six sacks in his first two seasons. With his injury soon to be behind him, the onus is on Jackson to prove why the 49ers deemed him worthy of their top selection.
More must-reads: