Even though the Washington Commanders are currently 6th in sacks through the first six games of the season, they have a relatively low pressure rate, ranking 26th in pressure percentage, per Pro Football Reference. The main issue is that the EDGE rushers have struggled to pressure the quarterback. As a result, the defense has relied heavily on blitzing with a 22.9% blitz rate.
Because of this, the team needed to address their EDGE depth.
Washington Commanders land athletic freak to boost sack totals
October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) passes the football against San Francisco 49ers defensive end Drake Jackson (95) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
According to Adam Schefter, the Commanders have signed Drake Jackson to their active roster, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus. The former USC Trojan wowed scouts at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine with his combination of size —listed at 6-foot-4 and 273 pounds —and freak athleticism, with a 36.5″ vertical jump, a 10′ 7″ broad jump, and scoring an impressive 8.62 Relative Athletic Score. The San Francisco 49ers drafted Jackson 61st overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, though he has struggled to stay healthy to start his NFL career.
Commanders are signing pass rusher Drake Jackson to their active roster, per agent Drew Rosenhaus.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 14, 2025
Now fully healthy, Jackson also received interest from the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens.
He hasn’t played a game since October 2023
September 18, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Drake Jackson (95) before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Drake Jackson suffered a season-ending left patellar tendon tear in Week 8 of the 2023 regular season, the last game he had played in the past two years, and underwent surgery in January 2024. Unfortunately, the former second-round pick faced a long and difficult recovery, resulting in him missing the entire 2024 season. The 49ers waived Jackson in May 2025 with a failed physical designation.
Nov 3, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) is called for a personal foul while trying to sack New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) in the 2nd half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Dorance Armstrong (22 pressures and 5.5 sacks)
Jacob Martin (9 pressures and 1 sack)
Von Miller (11 pressures and 3.5 sacks)
Jalyn Holmes (4 pressures)
Preston Smith (2 pressures)
Drake Jackson
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