SANTA CLARA, Calif. — For the sixth time in the past eight drafts, the 49ers’ top pick is a defensive lineman, this time summoning USC’s Drake Jackson at No. 61 overall in the second round.
Fittingly, it was Arik Armstead who announced Jackson’s selection — as a “linebacker” — at the draft in Las Vegas.
Jackson is the latest in a line of top-pick defensive linemen, preceded by Armstead (2015, No. 17 overall), DeForest Buckner (2016, No. 7), Solomon Thomas (2017, No. 3), Nick Bosa (2019, No. 2) and Javon Kinlaw (2020, No. 14).
In three seasons as a USC starter, Jackson (6-foot-3, 273 pounds) totaled 12 1/2 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.
DEEBO UPDATE
Jackson will have a ways to go to reach the popularity of the 49ers’ 2019 second-round pick: Deebo Samuel, who perhaps signaled Friday that he’s backed down from his trade request. Samuel is selling T-shirts and sweatshirts titled: “DEEBO SAMUEL IS BACK,” available for $25.99 and $42.99, respectively.
Having emerged into an All-Pro wide receiver last season, Samuel’s been the center of attention the past week with a trade request that’s gone unfilled. The 49ers reportedly passed on bids Thursday night from the New York Jets and Detroit Lions.
Samuel sure isn’t in hiding. He signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans Friday at the NFL Draft Experience in Las Vegas.
Prior to making their first pick this draft, the Cincinnati Bengals traded up to take cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt in the No. 60 spot in a deal with the Buffalo Bills.
The 49ers are slated to pick Nos. 93 and 105 in the third round, with six picks awaiting them in Saturday’s Rounds 4-7. They were among 10 teams that did not make a first-round pick. The 49ers’ move up to No. 3 last year for Trey Lance cost them first-round picks in 2021, ’22 and ’23, plus the No. 102 spot in Friday’s third-round pick.
Lance’s North Dakota State teammate Christian Watson went second in Friday’s second round, going to the Green Bay Packers at No. 34. He was the first wide receiver to go in the second round, and there were 13 selected among the draft’s top 54 picks.
