If you look at a stat sheet to find the next great NFL linebacker, you’re probably going to skip right over Jestin Jacobs. His numbers don't scream "first-round lock." Honestly, they barely whisper. But talk to anyone in an NFL front office—the people who actually get paid to watch the tape—and you'll hear a different story. The Jestin Jacobs NFL draft conversation is one of the most polarizing topics in scouting circles right now because he’s basically a walking "what-if" scenario.
He’s a 6-foot-4, 235-pound specimen who moves like a safety. He’s got the range to cover a slot receiver and the length to disrupt passing lanes. Yet, his college career was a rollercoaster of transfers, flashes of brilliance, and some really tough injury luck. Scouts are trying to figure out if they’re looking at a future Pro Bowler who just needs a break, or a guy whose body might not hold up to the rigors of a 17-game pro season.
The Iowa-to-Oregon Journey
Jacobs started his journey at Iowa, a school famously known for churning out "boring" but incredibly efficient NFL-ready linebackers. Think Jack Campbell or Josey Jewell. Jacobs wasn't like them. He was the athlete. In 2021, he looked like the next big thing, playing alongside Campbell and showing off elite coverage skills.
Then the injuries hit.
A soft tissue issue in 2022 limited him to just two games. It was a massive blow for a guy who was supposed to be the focal point of that defense. Instead of sticking around to see if he could reclaim his spot, he entered the transfer portal and headed west to Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks.
Why Oregon? Because Lanning knows linebackers. He was the architect of that legendary Georgia defense that sent Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker to the pros. For Jacobs, it was a chance to prove he could thrive in a modern, fast-paced system. He wasn't just looking for playing time; he was looking for a platform to showcase that he’s a "space" linebacker—the kind of player NFL teams are desperate for to stop the Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allens of the world.
Physical Tools vs. The Medical Red Flags
When you talk about the Jestin Jacobs NFL draft profile, you have to start with the measurables. We’re talking about a guy who clocked a 4.6-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day in March 2025. He also posted a 36.5-inch vertical jump. Those aren't just "good" numbers for a linebacker; they are elite.
But here is the catch.
NFL teams are terrified of "availabilty." You’ve heard the cliché: the best ability is availability. Jacobs missed significant chunks of time in 2022 and had a slow start to 2023. Even when he was on the field for Oregon, his production was... quiet. Over 21 games with the Ducks, he had about 61 tackles. For context, some college linebackers hit that in five games.
The nuanced view? Oregon’s defense is designed differently. They ask their backers to do a lot of dirty work that doesn't show up in the box score. PFF (Pro Football Focus) actually loved him. He posted tackling grades over 90.0 in both 2023 and 2024. In two years at Oregon, he was credited with zero missed tackles. That is an insane stat. It tells you that when he’s there, he finishes the play.
Why the San Francisco 49ers Are Interested
It’s no secret that the 49ers met with Jacobs multiple times leading up to the draft. If you want to know how a player will be used in the NFL, look at who is scouting them. San Francisco values speed and length at the second level more than almost anyone else. They saw what Fred Warner did as a converted safety and they see similar traits in Jacobs.
The 49ers aren't the only ones. Teams like the Eagles and Dolphins—teams that play a lot of nickel and dime packages—have been sniffing around his tape. They don't want a 250-pound thumper who gets exploited on a crossing route. They want Jacobs.
The "Day 3" Reality
Despite the physical gifts, most analysts have Jacobs as a Day 3 prospect—somewhere in the 4th to 6th round range. Why the disconnect?
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- Lack of "Splash" Plays: One interception and 2.5 sacks over two years doesn't ignite a bidding war.
- Age: Being a redshirt senior means he’s coming into the league older than some of the 20-year-old "projects" teams love to gamble on.
- The Medical Report: Every team’s doctor is going to have the final say on his draft grade. If those old muscle strains look like a chronic problem, he might slide.
However, being a Day 3 pick isn't the death knell it used to be. Some of the best coverage linebackers in the league were mid-round finds. If Jacobs lands in a system that doesn't ask him to take on 320-pound guards head-on every play, he’s going to make some GM look like a genius.
What Scouts Are Saying Behind Closed Doors
I talked to a regional scout last month who summed it up perfectly. He said, "Jacobs is the guy you draft when you're tired of seeing your linebackers get cooked by tight ends."
Basically, his value is in what he prevents rather than what he creates. He prevents the 15-yard completion over the middle. He prevents the running back from turning the corner on a swing pass. He’s a "eraser."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking the Jestin Jacobs NFL draft trajectory, here’s how to evaluate his potential impact at the next level:
- Watch the Scheme, Not the Stats: Don't worry about his tackle numbers. Look at how often he is targeted in coverage. If QBs are looking away from him, he’s doing his job.
- Special Teams Value: Because of his speed and frame, he’s a Day 1 starter on kickoff and punt coverage. That’s how he stays on a roster while he learns the defensive playbook.
- Fit Matters: He needs a 4-3 defense where he can play the "Will" (weak-side) linebacker spot. Putting him at "Mike" (middle) and asking him to stack-and-shed interior linemen would be a waste of his talents.
- Health is the Wildcard: Follow the training camp reports. If he makes it through a full August without a "tweak," his stock will soar.
The bottom line is that Jestin Jacobs is a high-reward gamble. He has the frame of a modern NFL star and the fundamental soundess of an Iowa-trained technician. If a team can keep him on the grass, they’re getting a starting-caliber player for the price of a backup.
Watch for him to go to a contender with a creative defensive coordinator. They won't care about his 2022 injury or his lack of sacks. They'll just see a 6-foot-4 athlete who can run a 4.6 and tackle anything that moves. In the modern NFL, that's worth its weight in gold.
Next Steps for Evaluation: Analyze the defensive rosters of the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Green Bay Packers. These teams traditionally value the "length and speed" profile that Jacobs offers. Compare his Pro Day numbers to the average Combine results for starting NFL Will linebackers to see exactly where his athletic upside sits relative to the current league standard. This will provide a clearer picture of his ceiling regardless of his draft position.