Drake Jackson

Drake Jackson
Jackson in high school, 2018
No. 91 – Atlanta Falcons
PositionDefensive end
Roster status
Active
Personal information
Born (2001-04-12) April 12, 2001 (age 25)
Corona, California, U.S.
Listed height
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight
273 lb (124 kg)
Career information
High schoolCentennial (Corona)
CollegeUSC (2019–2021)
NFL draft2022: 2nd round, 61st overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics as of 2025
Tackles24
Sacks6
Pass deflections9
Interceptions1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Drake Jackson (born April 12, 2001) is an American professional football defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Early life

Jackson attended Centennial High School in Corona, California. As a senior, he was The Press-Enterprise Defensive Player of the Year after recording 50 tackles and eight sacks. Jackson committed to the University of Southern California (USC) to play college football.

College career

Jackson started as a true freshman, recording 46 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 11 games in 2019.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jump
6 ft 2+5⁄8 in
(1.90 m)		254 lb
(115 kg)		34 in
(0.86 m)		10+1⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		6 ft 10+5⁄8 in
(2.10 m)		4.28 s7.09 s36.5 in
(0.93 m)		10 ft 7 in
(3.23 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day

San Francisco 49ers

Jackson was selected in the second round with the 61st overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. In Week 3, against the Denver Broncos, he recorded his first NFL sack.

In Week 1 of the 2023 season, Jackson recorded three sacks in the 49ers 30–7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was placed on injured reserve on November 11, 2023.

Jackson was placed on the reserve/PUP list on August 8, 2024, due to patellar tendon surgery he underwent the previous season. Jackson missed the entire 2024 season, before being waived by the 49ers on May 9, 2025.

Washington Commanders

On October 15, 2025, Jackson signed with the Washington Commanders and was placed on injured reserve the following day as a planned move to allow him to continue his patellar tendon surgery recovery from the 2023 season. On December 4, the Commanders activated Jackson.

Jackson signed a one-year contract extension with the Commanders on March 12, 2026. He was placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury on August 25, and released with an injury settlement on September 3.

Atlanta Falcons

On September 16, 2026, Jackson signed with the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 24.

References

  1. 1 2 Johnson, Eric-Paul (December 19, 2018). "Football Signing Day: Centennial defensive lineman Drake Jackson signs with USC". Press Enterprise. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  2. ↑ McCollough, J. Brady (April 12, 2019). "USC freshman defensive end Drake Jackson seen as a 'first-round talent'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  3. ↑ Greenspan, Dan (September 5, 2019). "USC's Drake Jackson determined to show ability to finish plays". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  4. ↑ Kartje, Ryan (September 4, 2019). "USC freshman Drake Jackson aims for a finishing touch". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  5. ↑ Grosbard, Adam (September 5, 2019). "From birth certificate to USC debut, Drake Jackson always felt destined to be a Trojan". Orange County Register. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Drake Jackson 2019 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Drake Jackson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  8. ↑ "2022 Draft Scout Drake Jackson, Southern California NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  9. ↑ McDonald, Briana (April 29, 2022). "49ers Select DL Drake Jackson with the No. 61 Pick in the 2022 Draft". 49ers.com. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  10. ↑ "San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos - September 25th, 2022". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  11. ↑ Maiocco, Matt (September 10, 2023). "Drake Jackson shows 'dangerous' side with three sacks vs. Steelers". NBC Sports Bay Area & California. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  12. ↑ "49ers Promote CB to Active Roster, Place DL Jackson on Injured Reserve". 49ers.com. November 11, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  13. ↑ "49ers Sign a Safety, Place DL Jackson on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List". 49ers.com. August 8, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  14. ↑ "49ers Sign Dillard, Flowers, Petit-Frere and 12 Rookies; Waive Three Players". 49ers.com. May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  15. ↑ Selby, Zach (October 15, 2025). "Commanders place Noah Brown on IR, sign DE Drake Jackson". Commanders.com. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  16. ↑ Alper, Josh (October 16, 2025). "Commanders put Drake Jackson on injured reserve". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  17. ↑ Selby, Zach (December 5, 2025). "Commanders activate Drake Jackson off IR, release Darnell Savage". Commanders.com. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  18. ↑ Alper, Josh (March 5, 2026). "Commanders agree to terms on one-year deal with Drake Jackson". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  19. ↑ "Commanders re-sign Drake Jackson". Commanders.com. March 12, 2026.
  20. ↑ Selby, Zach (August 25, 2026). "Commanders sign OLB Boogie Bashum, release S Will Harris". Commanders.com. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Drake Jackson: Released with injury settlement". CBS Sports. September 4, 2026. Retrieved September 4, 2026.
  22. ↑ McFadden, Will. "Falcons place Da'Shawn Hand on IR, sign Nick Muse to active roster". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
  23. ↑ McElhaney, Tori (October 24, 2026). "Falcons activate A.J. Terrell, announce bevy of roster moves ahead of 49ers matchup". AtlantaFalcons.com.