5 players 49ers should put on the trade block entering 2024 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
49ers trade candidate No. 3: DE Drake Jackson
After two underwhelming seasons after being the 49ers' top pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, edge Drake Jackson is quickly trending toward being a massive bust.
Despite showing some modest flashes his rookie year, mostly by swatting down passes at the line of scrimmage, Jackson was benched late in the season and into the playoffs. Despite bulking up in year two and registering three sacks in Week 1 of the 2023 season, injuries and inconsistent play forced him onto injured reserve to close out his sophomore year with the Niners.
San Francisco sought out other edge-rushing help, both last year by midseason trades for Chase Young and Randy Gregory. This offseason, the 49ers watched the two of them walk in free agency but also signed Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos.
It's pretty clear Jackson won't fit into the Niners' long-term plans any longer.
Should San Francisco add another pass-rusher via the draft, it would be wise to capitalize on what remains of Jackson's potential rather than holding onto the hope he can finally turn into a decent rotational player.