The Jacksonville Jaguars kicked off the 2022 NFL draft with Georgia defensive end Travon Walker. A handful of other DEs went in Round 1 and Round 2 before the 49ers finally selected 61 overall. Despite there being 60 picks between Walker and Jackson, Jackson was the more productive college player.
At USC Jackson posted 12.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss in 27 games. Walker had 9.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 29 games.
The raw stats aren’t super indicative of anything though because they played different roles in their defenses. Walker was drafted for his exceptional traits and high upside after largely playing a run-stopping, block-eating role with the Bulldogs. Jackson lined up on the edge and got after the QB for the Trojans as more of a traditional edge rusher.
However, Jackson made far greater use of his opportunities in passing situations. Austin Gayle from Pro Football Focus posted pass-rush win rates for some prospects on third-and-4-plus. Jackson’s 20 percent win rate is nearly double Walker’s:
Career pass-rush win rates on 3rd-and-4-plus, per @PFF:
Arnold Ebiketie (31%)
Kingsley Enagbare (27%)
Boye Mafe (26%)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (25%)
Aidan Hutchinson (24%)
George Karlaftis (21%)
Drake Jackson (20%)Josh Paschal (18%)
Jermaine Johnson (17%)Travon Walker (11%)
— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) April 16, 2022
Jackson is just 21-years old and will get plenty of time to learn under defensive line coach Kris Kocurek who’s helped develop a ton of high-quality pass rushers.
If Jackson can translate those pass rush numbers to the pros the 49ers will have themselves an excellent edge rusher 60 picks later than the first edge rusher taken.
