They are still struggling to manufacture sacks and pressure without blitzing, so the Washington Commanders have acted by signing a former second-round NFL draft pick to fill out their edge-rusher rotation.
Ex-San Francisco 49ers defensive end Drake Jackson will immediately join the active roster in Washington, his agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday, October 14.
Jackson, who was taken with the 61st pick in the 2022 NFL draft, has only six sacks to his credit in the pros and hasn’t played since 2023. What the 24-year-old can be is a versatile scheme fit for the Commanders’ hybrid fronts.
He’s also a player familiar to general manager Adam Peters. The latter was in the front office when the Niners sent USC stud Jackson’s name to the podium over three years ago, and the Commanders recently hosted the edge defender amid a slew of injuries at a key position.
Peters has seen the Commanders lose two flexible ends, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Javontae Jean-Baptiste to season-ending injuries. Yet, Peters also knows the defense needs a boost after the Commanders slipped to a 25-24 defeat to the Chicago Bears in Week 6. A game where the D’ couldn’t stop the run, nor disrupt quarterback Caleb Williams in the clutch.
Drake Jackson Answer Need for Commanders
Losing both Wise and Jean-Baptiste reduced something of a niche role for the Commanders‘ defense. Namely, a big-bodied defensive end capable of setting the edge against the run, while also shifting inside to put heat on the pocket in obvious passing situations.
It’s a full and tricky remit, but Jackson at least fits the physical profile. The 6-foot-4, 273-pounder has the dimensions to play on the edge in a three-man front and move to the interior of a four-man line.
Some of Jackson’s best plays for the 49ers involved raw power and straight-ahead brute force. Like this hustle sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, highlighted by Aaron Day of DLineVids.
The Commanders getting more of this will depend on Jackson being fully healthy. He tore the patella in his left knee during the 2023 campaign and missed all of the following season as a result.
Signing Jackson now shows the Commanders are willing to take a risk for any upside from a useful athlete who fits their defense. It’s a risk worth taking when the unit is still struggling up front.
Commanders Need More Pressure
To say the Commanders need a boost in pressure isn’t entirely accurate. Specifically, what they need is greater pressure when simply rushing four and playing coverage.
The lack of that quality is summed up by no lineman other than end Dorance Armstrong Jr. having recorded more than one sack. He leads the team with 5.5 quarterback takedowns, and the fact situational edge-rusher Von Miller, along with linebackers Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner, are the next most productive pass-rushers, shows the Commanders are still scheming pressure.
Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. is calling the blitz at a rate of 22.9 percent through six games, according to Pro Football Reference. His line needs more oomph in traditional pass-rush moments, as well as extra bulk to clog running lanes.
For now, the Commanders and Peters are content to trust what they know and give Jackson the chance to help solve some significant problems.
Commanders Signing 2nd-Round Pick to Boost Defense After Bears Defeat