One team’s discard can be another team’s find, and the Los Angeles Chargers are well aware of that. After successfully taking chances on several under-the-radar players last season, the Chargers have another opportunity following the San Francisco 49ers’ release of former second-round pick.
The 49ers officially waived Jackson on Saturday due to a failed physical. He missed the entire 2024 season after injuring his knee during the 2023 campaign. With a crowded edge rusher group, San Francisco chose to move forward with other players and give Him the chance to catch on with a new team.
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Although a failed physical and a missed season might raise concerns, Jackson is expected to be fully healthy by the start of training camp. Given that outlook, the Chargers could see potential value and should consider bringing him in to compete for a spot on their roster.
Chargers should consider signing Drake Jackson after 49ers release
There’s no such thing as having too much depth on the defensive line — a fact the Philadelphia Eagles underscored in their Super Bowl domination of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Right now, the Chargers have a solid four-man rotation at edge rusher with Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Bud Dupree, and rookie Kyle Kennard. While carrying five edge rushers on a 53-man roster isn’t typical, it’s certainly feasible depending on the overall defensive structure.
Given that Mack may be on a limited snap count and Tuipulotu’s versatility to rush from the interior, there’s a realistic opening for a fifth edge rusher — and that’s where Jackson could come in.
Jackson entered the league brimming with potential but never quite had the chance to fully showcase it with the 49ers. Drafted at just 22, he was always going to need time to develop, and an injury only prolonged that adjustment period.
Now 24, Jackson has shown flashes of brilliance when healthy — most notably a three-sack performance in Week 1 of the 2023 season against the Steelers, where he also tallied five pressures.
He was always seen as a tools-driven prospect, and while it’s a gamble to rely on someone with limited experience and injury history, there’s minimal downside for the Chargers. If he’s not the same player post-injury, he simply doesn’t make the roster.
But if he begins to fulfill his early promise, he could be a valuable asset to a well-structured Chargers defense. At just 24 years old, the upside is significant.
This kind of low-risk, high-reward move is exactly the type of savvy acquisition that GM Joe Hortiz has built his reputation on.
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