Keep an eye on 49ers rookie EDGE Drake Jackson this preseason

Preseason games may be meaningless, but 49ers rookie pass-rusher Drake Jackson should command a good deal of attention during the exhibition phase.

We all know how preseason games go, right? The first 10 or 15 minutes of the opening exhibition game are exciting because “football is finally back.” But, once the starters have played a series or two and the game gives way to backups, fans are left with the sudden realization there’s nearly a month before the games actually mean something.

Casual San Francisco 49ers fans may just be glad football is back, and preseason games can be entertaining in that regard.

For the more in-tune fans, though, they’ll be paying attention to roster battles, which fringe players are impressing and, perhaps most importantly, how the rookies are playing.

While watching the Niners’ most recent NFL Draft class, there’s one first-year pro worth evaluating above all the others: EDGE Drake Jackson, San Francisco’s top pick from 2022.

Why Drake Jackson will be so intriguing during 49ers preseason

The No. 61 overall pick in this year’s draft was widely viewed as a promising-but-raw prospect, and the fact USC was a massively disappointing defensive group the last few years certainly cut into Jackson’s prowess at the college level. His having to move around different positions didn’t help matters either.

At 6-foot-4 and 273 pounds, Jackson has steadily been making strides during 49ers training camp, flashing the hype and potential that made many feel the Niners got an absolute steal towards the end of Round 2.

Amid a Niners defensive line stacked with first-round draft picks and top-end talent, Jackson won’t be under pressure to perform right away.

However, the nature of preseason competition should make him an intriguing player to watch.

49ers will likely feature Drake Jackson plenty this preseason

San Francisco doesn’t need to risk any injury to star Pro Bowl EDGE Nick Bosa during exhibition games, and he doesn’t exactly need a preseason anyway. And even with the 49ers finally parting ways with oft-injured pass-rusher Dee Ford, there are a number of other depth rushers who’ll likely be rested for much of the preseason, too.

Jackson, who is widely viewed as being a promising pass-rusher but someone who needs to fine-tune his run-stopping skills, should receive a large share of snaps over the three exhibition bouts the Niners play in advance of Week 1.

In particular, and as pointed out by CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards, it’ll be interesting to see how Jackson fits within defensive line coach Kris Kocurek’s wide-9 defensive alignment:

"Jackson could not have landed in a better position. In addition to a wealth of talent along the 49ers’ defensive line, Kocurek utilizes a wide-9 alignment that will allow the rookie to use his athletic gifts to challenge opposing offensive tackles at the high side of his rush."

Read More: Drake Jackson is in a perfect context his rookie year

The rookie might not go up against a lot of first-string blockers and offensive tackles during the preseason. But he’ll likely square up against plenty of swing-tackle candidates and players vying for No. 2 spots on depth charts.

NFL-level competition, nonetheless.

Jackson is one of those players who figures to get a good share of upper-level reps during the preseason, not the “who cares?” caliber of snaps late in the fourth quarter of exhibition games.

And if Jackson winds up doing the most with those chances, perhaps it’ll be a sign toward San Francisco finally getting that lethal one-two pass-rushing punch between Bosa and the rookie in 2022 and beyond.