The San Francisco 49ers wrapped up the 2017 season and have begun their work to prepare for 2018 free agency and the draft. We’ll be breaking down plenty of what that means, but in the meantime, we wanted to take a look back at the season that was for the 49ers. Jimmy Garoppolo capture our imagination, but the 49ers rebuilding process was extensive last year. We are going to take a look at every notable addition and provide a forum for grading how that signing, trade, or draft pick worked out.
Asa Jackson, Cornerback
How acquired: Signed as a free agent August 8th. Cap details
Sacto native Asa Jackson was a 5th round draft pick by the Ravens in 2012 and has hung on as a practice squad / bottom of the roster guy with several teams since. He was suspended twice for taking Adderall for his attention-deficit disorder but now has the paperwork in order to do so legally.
The Niners didn’t sign Jackson until a week into training camp, after CB Zach Franklin was waived/injured. Despite his late start learning Robert Saleh’s system, he impressed coaches by notching two interceptions as an outside CB in the final preseason game against the Chargers. (He had earlier played well as slot CB against the Vikings, and that versatility didn’t hurt him either.)
Jackson started the season on the practice squad, then replaced Keith Reaser on the active roster after Week 1. He played four games on special teams and had three tackles before injuring his hamstring.
The team put him on the Injured Reserve list and and signed veteran CB Leon Hall, who appears to have taken Jackson’s place on the roster. Hall played 200 snaps on defense in 9 games, with 16 tackles and a pass breakup over that stretch; Jackson had just one defensive snap in four games, plus 71 on special teams.
At 28, it’s not clear how much future Jackson has in the NFL. (Seems like every time he’s made a roster, he gets injured off of it.) It’s good to see him get a nearly-full season on a roster though.
Poll
How do you grade the Asa Jackson FA signing?
This poll is closed
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2%
A
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10%
B
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49%
C
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28%
D
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8%
F