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49ers Waive 2022 Second-Round Pick Drake Jackson Following Injury Struggles

The defensive end was released with a failed physical designation as the team retools its defensive line with rookies and veterans.

Drake Jackson of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field following a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Santa Clara, California.
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Overview

  • Drake Jackson, the 49ers' top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, was waived on May 8, 2025, after failing a physical due to ongoing recovery from a torn patellar tendon.
  • Jackson missed the entire 2024 season following surgery in January 2024 and has struggled to regain full health, though he is expected to be cleared by training camp.
  • The 49ers used the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select defensive end Mykel Williams, who is set to start alongside Nick Bosa.
  • San Francisco bolstered its roster by signing veterans Andre Dillard, Nicholas Petit-Frere, and Dallis Flowers to one-year contracts to address depth concerns.
  • Jackson's release highlights mixed results from the 2022 draft class, with quarterback Brock Purdy as the standout success story.