New San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks spoke with reporters on Friday as the team kicks off its two-day rookie minicamp. The first players he mentioned during his press conference weren't high-profile names like Nick Bosa or Fred Warner. Instead, the first two names Wilks dropped, the two players he is very excited to work with, were Drake Jackson and Javon Kinlaw.
"Kinlaw has just been tremendous since I've been here," Wilks said. "I mean, the day that I came in on my interview, he was here working out. He has not missed a day of offseason training. So I'm excited to see exactly where he's going to be.
"The same thing with Drake. Drake has been here all summer, working out—all spring, rather—doing the things that he needs to do to improve his game. He's gained a lot of weight. He's in there with [defensive line coach Kris] Kocurek, and I'm just excited to see exactly what he's going to do and how he's going to progress in his second year."
The coach praised the defensive lineman's potential when pressed further about Jackson, a second-round draft pick in 2022. What did Wilks see from Jackson's rookie film?
"A lot of inconsistency," the coach responded. "I saw a lot of talent, a lot of skill set, but someone that needs to really, as I just talked about, get a little stronger, get a little bigger. And he's working hard. So I'm looking forward to him once again taking that sophomore leap, that second year, and really improving and doing some good things."
Wilks also noted that he is also looking forward to working with Bosa, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and free agent addition Javon Hargrave.
"One of the best three-technique interior linemen in the National Football League," Wilks said of Hargrave.
Adding Myles Hartsfield
Wilks, the former interim head coach for the Carolina Panthers, had already worked with safety Myles Hartsfield, so when free agency arrived, the defensive coordinator wanted to reunite with the defensive back. San Francisco signed Hartsfield to a one-year deal.
"I think it's always important if you can have someone, whether it's a player or coach, that's somewhat familiar with your system," Wilks said, "or in this situation, your philosophy, and he can be an extension of you on the field, coaching the guys, also in the locker room, and also in the classroom. So that was an important factor for me. He's a good football player as well."
Isaiah Oliver's role
When the 49ers signed former Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver to a two-year deal, it was assumed he would fill in at the vacant nickel spot. Wilks confirmed that on Friday.
"Oliver is someone that I had an opportunity to go against, having been in that division," Wilks shared. "And we didn't know exactly what was going to happen in free agency with [DB] Jimmie [Ward]. And when that didn't happen (Ward left for the Houston Texans), we wanted to make sure that we sort of got the best nickel in free agency, and that's what we went out and did.
"So I'm excited about Oliver. He's long, he's physical, can tackle, can cover. He's going to be a good blitzer for us, everything that we do within this defense."
Sam Darnold and Christian McCaffrey
Wilks joining the 49ers reunites him with two former Panthers—quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Christian McCaffrey. San Francisco traded for McCaffrey last season, shortly after Wilks took over for fired head coach Matt Rhule. The Niners signed Darnold in free agency.
"Hopefully, they're going to have a lot of success," Wilks said of the two. "Both of those guys are extremely talented. I'm glad that they are on our team. I'm glad we're here together. It was disappointing to lose Christian last year, but he has definitely made a difference here with the 49ers, and I'm glad to be able to be a part of that now."
