The Philadelphia Eagles are soaring high with a 4-1 record, perched near the top of the NFC. But while their offense is clicking, their defense—once a fearsome unit—has looked more like a paper tiger this season. Through five games, Vic Fangio’s squad has managed a measly seven sacks, a far cry from the havoc they wreaked last year. Injuries have decimated their defensive line, and now, in a move that’s got the NFL rumor mill buzzing, the Eagles are eyeing a former San Francisco 49ers second-round pick who many thought was out of the game for good: Drake Jackson.
The Eagles’ pass rush is in dire straits. Star edge rusher Nolan Smith was poised for a breakout year until a triceps injury landed him on injured reserve in September, with no clear timeline for his return. The hits kept coming when veteran Ogbo Okoronkwo suffered a torn triceps, likely ending his season. Even Jalen Carter, the heart of Philly’s defensive front, popped up on the Week 6 injury report with a nagging heel issue, raising eyebrows about the unit’s immediate future.
With their defensive end depth thinner than a goal-line stand, the Eagles are scrambling for solutions. On October 8, they brought in Jackson, a 24-year-old edge rusher with tantalizing potential, for a workout that’s sparked hope among fans and analysts alike.
Once a prized prospect, Jackson was a second-round pick by the 49ers in 2022, coming off a stellar college career at USC. Over three seasons with the Trojans (2019–2021), he racked up 103 tackles (25 for loss), 12.5 sacks, and two interceptions in 28 games, showcasing the kind of athleticism and versatility that had NFL scouts drooling. In his first two seasons in San Francisco, he flashed that promise with 6.0 sacks, looking like a future cornerstone for the 49ers’ defense.
But disaster struck in 2023. A torn patellar tendon cut his season short, and after being waived by San Francisco this past spring, many assumed his NFL career was on life support. Now a free agent, Jackson is staging a comeback tour, with workouts lined up not just with the Eagles but also the Commanders, Jets, and Ravens. At just 24, he’s far from finished—and Philly might be the perfect place for a redemption story.
The Eagles’ pass rush has been stuck in neutral. Veterans like Za’Darius Smith and Azeez Ojulari have shown flashes, but consistency has been elusive. Smith, with a team-leading 1.5 sacks, is the only defensive end with more than one to his name. “Obviously the game’s not too big for him,” Fangio said of Smith on October 7. “He’s been out there a lot in his career. [He] made a critical sack last week, which pushed [Denver] out of field goal range. I think he’s getting better and better every week.” Still, one man can’t carry the load alone.
Fangio, known for his defensive wizardry, downplayed the low sack totals, pointing to quick releases by opposing quarterbacks and a league-wide dip in sacks. “The production or the sack numbers are what [they are],” he said. “I do think the ball is coming out fairly quick a lot. The guys have been rushing good enough. We just haven’t gotten there.” But with injuries piling up, “good enough” won’t cut it if the Eagles want to stay in the NFC’s elite.
Signing Jackson isn’t without risk. A torn patellar tendon is no small hurdle, and he hasn’t played a snap since 2023. But the upside is undeniable. At his best, Jackson brings explosive athleticism and a knack for disrupting quarterbacks—exactly what Philly’s depleted D-line needs. Even if he starts as a rotational piece or practice squad addition, his fresh legs and developmental potential could be a game-changer for a team desperate to bolster its pass rush.
The Eagles’ interest in Jackson signals they’re not standing pat. Whether it’s him or another under-the-radar gem, Philly is clearly on the hunt for reinforcements to keep their Super Bowl dreams alive. The rumor mill is in overdrive, and Eagles fans are buzzing: could Drake Jackson, the forgotten 49ers phenom, be the spark that reignites this defense? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—this move has everyone talking.