The San Francisco 49ers have a need for pass rushers and will be scouring the market in order to acquire some. The latest possibility comes in the form of a trade as both the 49ers and Green Bay Packers have expressed interest in Dee Ford according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Chiefs applied their franchise tag to Ford last week, but have made it apparent they’re willing to trade the 27-year-old pass rusher. Kansas City is moving to a 4-3 defensive scheme after Ford had the most successful season of his career in the 3-4 as an outside linebacker.
The 49ers are coming off a season where they finished with only 37 sacks, tied for 22nd in the league. Only DeForest Buckner finished with double-digit sacks. Ford would fit in at either the SAM linebacker or at defensive end in the San Francisco defense. His versatility would be welcome on a 49ers defensive front that needs help at multiple spots.
Ford finished 2018 with 13 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles, 29 hits on the quarterback, and 55 total tackles — all career-highs.
Trading for a franchise-tagged player isn’t easy, and there’s a good chance the 49ers are just doing their due diligence on an available pass rusher. San Francisco has the No. 2 overall pick and several free agents who fit their need at pass rusher as well. It’s easily conceivable they opt for those avenues instead.
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