Injuries have forced the San Francisco 49ers’ hand. Rookie Jaden Dugger, a collegiate safety turned linebacker—he was all-conference at both positions —is now practicing with the defensive linemen. That’s what the battle of attrition has already done for the coaching staff.
Dugger went from practicing with the off-ball linebackers to doing the same individual drills as Osa Odighizuwa in a matter of a week. Dugger may need to beef up. He’s 240 pounds. That’s not somebody who is going to hold up on a down-to-down basis. However, he’s 6’5″ with a 7′ wingspan. Dugger’s 35″ arms should allow him to stay clean, but it’s going to take some time to learn the trades of a pass rusher.
The flashes are happening. During Monday’s practice, Dugger beat Trent Williams on a rep. That’s right, one of the best left tackles in the game. That’s where Dugger’s athleticism shows. A 10-foot-6 inch broad jump translates to a quick first step that would give any tackle, even Williams, problems.
But there were supposedly plenty of plays when Dugger looked lost, or didn’t have an answer to combat Isaac Alarcon, who is unlikely to make the roster. It’ll take time. Pass rushing is a craft that takes several years to master. It’s more than athleticism.
Thankfully, he has another fellow rookie to lean on. There’s a reason the 49ers were cautious with Romello Height. It doesn’t take long to realize he has the “it” factor. Height moves differently than everybody else not named Nick Bosa. It’s reminiscent of Dee Ford.
Height will be the designated pass rusher, much like Ford was. He has a deep bag of tricks. Dugger, if he’s going to continue to cross-train as a pass rusher, should follow Height closely.
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