SANTA CLARA, Calif. — It’s become an annual task for the 49ers: Find a defensive end to line up on the flank opposite Nick Bosa.
Fortifying the interior spots also is a must this offseason. Overall, the 49ers’ defensive line rotation needs to be restocked, either by re-signing their own players or ushering in a younger group, all of which could be done in the upcoming free agency or next month’s draft.
Before Bosa arrived as a 2019 rookie, the 49ers made a pricey move to trade for and sign Dee Ford as their other starting defensive end, and that tandem helped them reach the Super Bowl. But Ford’s career was derailed by a back issue, and the 49ers have forged ahead by deploying flash-in-the-pan edge rushers opposite Bosa, who won NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors last season for leading the 49ers’ defense within a win of the Super Bowl.
While that also positioned Bosa for a contract extension this year, the 49ers must now debate how much more they’ll invest to hire other defensive ends in free agency, in which outside negotiations can begin March 13 before deals can become official March 15.
Free agency comes with perils, and the 49ers haven’t thrived in signing defensive ends with this regime, such as Jeremiah Attaochu (2018), Ford (2019), Kerry Hyder Jr. (2020, ’22), Samson Ebukam (2021), Arden Key (2021) and Kemoko Turay (2022).
WHO’S HERE
Defensive ends: Bosa, Drake Jackson, Alex Barrett
Defensive tackles: Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Kalia Davis
Bosa, in only his third full season, set career highs with a league-leading 18 1/2 sacks and 48 quarterback hits, all of which should add up to an extension worth more than $30 million annually, otherwise they’ll beg him to play on a fifth-year option at $18 million. Jackson, a second-round selection last year with the 49ers’ top draft pick, is being asked to add power and stamina after ending his rookie year as a healthy scratch.
Armstead had no sacks in a nine-game, injury-marred regular season, but he had two in the playoffs, so that plus his captainship and versatility could keep him aboard with a high salary ($16 million). Kinlaw’s career is again at a crossroads because of knee issues, and Davis is looking to start his career after spending his rookie year recovering from knee reconstruction.
PENDING FREE AGENTS:
Defensive ends: Samson Ebukam, Charles Omenihu, Jordan Willis, Kerry Hyder Jr.
Defensive tackles: Hassan Ridgeway, Maurice Hurst, T.Y. McGill, Kevin Givens (restricted)
Ebukam produced 4 1/2 and five sacks in his two seasons since fleeing the Rams. That is not ideal production but it didn’t get him benched in favor of Jackson or others, so the 49ers could want to re-sign him and hope for growth. Omenihu raised his stack with versatility and production (6 1/2 sacks, including two in the playoffs), but a late-season arrest for suspicion of domestic violence could cloud his future. Willis flashed more than Hyder, who had to help on the interior at times. Ridgeway and Givens filled in well as the run defense thrived before their late-season injuries.
EXTERNAL CANDIDATES:
Defensive ends: Arden Key (Jaguars), Yannick Ngakoue (Colts), Clelin Ferrell (Raiders), Jadaveon Clowney (Browns), Marcus Davenport (Saints), Tyquan Lewis (Colts), Anthony Nelson (Bucs)
Defensive tackles: Daron Payne (Commanders), Javon Hargrave (Eagles), Dre’Mont Jones (Broncos), A’Shawn Robinson (Rams), Poona Ford (Seahawks), Dalvin Tomlinson (Vikings)
Payne or Hargrave would bust the 49ers’ budget, if they even hit the market, but there are other interior linemen available, more so than edge rushers. Re-signing Key after his one-year sabbatical in Jacksonville would follow the lead of Hyder’s 49ers-Seahawks-49ers journey the past three years.
Ngakoue and Clowney are becoming journeymen, so the 49ers shouldn’t break the bank for them since Bosa’s tab is running. Edge rushers expected to get released and join the market are Bud Dupree (Titans), Leonard Floyd (Rams) and Frank Clark (Chiefs).
They’ll likely ask line coach Kris Kocurek to maximize a younger defensive end’s untapped potential or serve him up more veterans on one-year deals.
This is the first in a five-part series previewing the 49ers’ approach to NFL free agency.
