ESPN REPORT: The San Francisco 49ers Head Coach is Been Fired Due to….
Under Steve Wilks, the defense finished 2023 as one of the best in the NFL; but, the 49ers underperformed in a few areas, including stopping the run, finishing the pass rush with sacks, and giving up big plays. To keep the 49ers defense among the best, we’ll search for three defensive players in this editorial.
Twelve of the 49ers’ 22 projected free agents are on the defensive end of the spectrum. The cornerback, inside, and edge positions need to be addressed by the team. Enhancing these three domains will sustain the 49ers’ dominance.
Clelin Ferrell, Randy Gregory, and Chase Young are the three defensive ends that will be free agents in 2019. The three combined for 74 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF)—11 sacks, 17 hits, and 46 hurries. The 49ers need to address the edge position and invest some cash to acquire Nick Bosa the right complementing player on the opposing side if they want to make a change. Bryce Huff, a free agency defensive end, is the player that immediately springs to mind.
Huff’s statistics for 2023 showed 67 total pressures, which is seven fewer than the three previously stated. Huff finished with 45 rushes, 12 hits, and 10 sacks. Notably, he had one missed tackle and a total of 15 tackles with 16 stops. According to PFF, Huff will sign a three-year contract worth $50 million with a $35 million guarantee. Huff would help address the 49ers’ inability to get to the quarterback in 2023.
For USA TODAY Sports, Corey Perrine
The 49ers will likely search for cheap run stuffers because they failed against the run in 2023 (Arik Armstead costs $28.6 million, while Javon Hargrave costs $15.4 million). As 49ers defensive lineman Kevin Givens and Javon Kinlaw try free agency, former third-round draft selection Derrick Nnadi of the Kansas Chiefs comes to mind.
Nnadi will provide the 49ers with a 317-pound defensive tackle who stuffs runs. He won the Super Bowl. He produces well and won’t put a dent in the 49ers’ budget. Nnadi played 500 snaps at the end of the 2023 season, recording nine pressures (eight hurries), 32 total tackles, and 14 for a loss. He’s in good health and prepared to support the defense.
From USA TODAY Sports, Mark Konezny
The position of cornerback is the last but not the least. After being cut loose by the Buffalo Bills, Tre’Davious White’s agents should be contacted by the 49ers. White is making a full recovery from an ACL injury sustained during the previous season as well as an Achilles injury. To shore up the defense at the back end of the squad, the 49ers might extend an incentive-based one-year contract to White.
White is an NFL lockdown corner when healthy. He played 878 snaps for three pressures (two sacks and a quarterback hit), 51 total tackles, 14 for a loss, surrendered 34 receptions on 55 targets (61.8%), and had seven pass breakups in his final healthy season in 2020. A formidable combination of White, Charvarius Ward, and nickel back Deommodore Lenoir may make up one of the NFL’s most feared secondaries.
In summary, the 49ers need to stay at the top and can accomplish so by adding the appropriate players in free agency. Will general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan gift new defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen some gaudy new gear? Start the whirlwind of free agency.
