49ers NFL Draft: Predicting each rookie’s impact in 2022
By Chris Moore
49ers first 3 NFL Draft picks
EDGE Drake Jackson, USC
San Francisco selected USC pass-rusher Drake Jackson in the second round 2022 NFL Draft, its first prospect selected after entering the draft without a Round 1 pick.
Jackson was an underrated prospect, who was misused at times during his career with the Trojans, yet he had his best season at the collegiate level when he was primarily used as a pass-rusher in his freshman year. In total, Jackson finished that year with 5.5 sacks, 46 total tackles, one forced fumble, and 11.5 tackles for a loss.
The 49ers clearly saw Jackson’s potential as an edge rusher, as he projects to be their potential future bookend EDGE opposite Pro Bowler Nick Bosa.
In the meantime, Jackson projects to be used situationally in his first NFL season, but the Niners view him as their future premier pass-rusher.
RB Tyrion Davis-Price, LSU
San Francisco selecting LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft was definitely a surprise to many, although running Back depth was nevertheless a need for the 49ers, after losing Raheem Mostert in free agency to the Miami Dolphins
Still, selecting a running back so early in the draft showed the 49ers probably don’t expect second-year rusher Trey Sermon to be a big contributor for this team in the near future.
Davis-Price will potentially battle Sermon for second on the depth chart during training camp if he’s not already penciled in there already.
Expect Davis-Price to be used right away in a split backfield with starting running back Elijah Mitchell.
WR Danny Gray, SMU
Just a few picks after the Niners grabbed Davis-Price, they grabbed speedy former SMU wide receiver Danny Gray in the third round, No. 105 overall.
Gray was a pure deep threat for SMU throughout his collegiate career, and he also has the always-important YAC ability to his game, giving the offense a weapon it hasn’t truly had since veteran receiver Marquise Goodwin was on the roster back in 2017 and 2018.
Right away, Gray slots in as the deep threat San Francisco wanted for quarterback Trey Lance and has the potential to win the WR3 spot on the depth chart entering 2022.