49ers select Drake Jackson in second round

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.