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The 49ers Sign Defensive Tackle Jordan Elliott
Another defensive lineman.
The 49ers signed defensive tackle Jordan Elliott to a two-year, $10 million contract, according to The NFL Network. Elliott is the third defensive lineman the 49ers have added this offseason along with Leonard Floyd and Yatur Gross-Matos. Meanwhile, the 49ers haven’t yet added any offensive players. Go figure.
Elliott, 26, is a former third-round pick who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Browns, where he recorded 5 sacks. So he’s not a pass rusher. But the past two seasons, he was a starter. And last season, he played in the Wide 9, which means he fits the 49ers defensive scheme. That’s why the 49ers signed him.
The 49ers certainly need defensive tackles after releasingYatur Gross-Matos and letting Javon Kinlaw sign with the New York Jets, but I don’t see Elliott as a replacement for Armstead. I see Elliott as a replacement for Kinlaw — a backup defensive tackle who can start if necessary, but not someone who would play on passing downs. A rotational run defender only.
Armstead was a three-down defensive tackle who was a key part of the 49ers third-down pressure packages. Elliott can’t replace Armstead in those situations. So expect the 49ers to draft a defensive tackle relatively high next month.
In the meantime, their base defensive line most likely consists of Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Jordan Elliott and Yatur Gross-Matos, while their nickel defensive line probably is made up of Bosa, Hargrave, Gross-Matos and Leonard Floyd.
Despite all these moves, it doesn’t seem that the defensive line has improved.
Will the 49ers Pursue a Cornerback in Free Agency?
Defensive line has been the position of interest so far in free agency for the San Francisco 49ers.
That won’t be sustained as the week progresses. There will be another position that the 49ers will look to target soon. One of those positions could be cornerback. Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir are anchors at the position, but a defense needs three sufficient cornerbacks.
Ambry Thomas was that guy on the outside with Lenoir inside. He played well when he was reinserted as the starter in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it seems the 49ers still do not fully trust him given his playing time in the playoffs. That would suggest the 49ers are open to bringing someone in.
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A veteran is likely the preference since they have constantly drafted a cornerback in the last few drafts and it hasn’t generated much success. So, will the 49ers pursue a cornerback in free agency?
I believe they will. I think the 49ers are tired of going the young route at cornerback. Whenever they go the veteran route it usually pays off for them. Plus, Kyle Shanahan hardly has the patience or tolerance when a young corner makes a mistake, so they hardly ever get leeway as unfair as it is.
It’s all a matter of what the 49ers are willing to spend. They are only tied to significant money in Ward throughout the entire secondary. However, they don’t have that much salary cap space. It’s tough to tell where it is right now after the few signings they have made in free agency thus far, but they definitely do not have an abundance.
If they did, then signing a cornerback like Kendall Fuller would be excellent. He’s a corner who is at the top of his game right now and is only 29 years old. The 49ers could see him be their starter for the next two-to-three years if they could make it work. But I see the 49ers looking at cheaper players than Fuller like Adoree Jackson, Tre Herndon, or Kristian Fulton.
Ultimately, I think the 49ers are okay at cornerback. Thomas made adequate improvements last year and there are a couple of younger ones they can look forward to in Samuel Womack and Darrell Luter Jr. developing. But again, the 49ers are probably tired of that and want someone they can fill in immediately and that is what free agency is for.
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