Let's overreact to these 5 things from 49ers OTAs

49ers OTA overreaction No. 4: Drake Jackson will break out in a big way

Overreactions don't have to be bad. Rather, if anything, it's fair to just temper expectations for a bit.

By now, we know the story of EDGE Drake Jackson, the 49ers' top pick from the 2022 draft who impressed early with three sacks and eight passes batted down but whose conditioning resulted in being a healthy scratch toward the end of the regular season and into the playoffs.

After losing pass-rushers Charles Omenihu and Samson Ebukam to free agency, the Niners do need Jackson to take a massive leap in year two, as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Nick Bosa, can't do it all on his own.

The good news? Jackson appears to be in great shape, at least according to Sports Illustrated's Grant Cohn:

"[Jackson] looks like a completely different person than he did last year as a rookie. Back then, he looked like a flabby college player who might wear a t-shirt in the swimming pool. Now, he looks like a five-year veteran with a grown-man's body. That's great news for the 49ers, because they need Jackson to take a huge leap and start opposite Nick Bosa."

OK, so where's the overreaction?

Remember the part about OTAs not revealing much? This especially applies to pass-rushers, who can't engage in contact and can't actually bull rush offensive linemen.

Jackson showed up in better shape, and that's it. But it doesn't automatically translate into being a better pass-rusher. We'll have to see that in training camp and the preseason before drawing any conclusion.