The 49ers plan to work out pass-rush specialist Elvis Dumervil later this week, according to a report by ESPN.
The 33-year-old Dumervil has been one of the best pass rushers in the last decade and would seemingly be a fit at the Leo defensive end spot for the 49ers. However, the Ravens cut him in March after injuries limited him to eight games and three starts.
He had just three sacks last season — the lowest total of his 10-year career — but has 99 since he was a rookie in 2006. Dumervil was teammates in Baltimore with fullback Kyle Juszczyk, and early in his career he spent two seasons on the same Denver Broncos defense as 49ers general manager John Lynch.
The 49ers have been tinkering with different players at Leo, which usually rushed from the right side of the defensive line. Arik Armstead has been lining up there with the first-team defense. Aaron Lynch and rookie Pita Taumoepenu have been with the second- and third-team units respectively.
None of those players are the archetype for the position for various reasons. At 6-7, Armstead is far taller than the typical Leo. Lynch must lose weight, perhaps as much as 20 pounds. Taumoepenu was a sixth-round pick, is raw and is a bit undersized for the position.
“He moves well,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said of Armstead on Wednesday. “The concern was that he’s so big and he doesn’t exactly fit the prototype, but he’s so athletic. He’s so long and he’s got a good first step. He just needs to get more comfortable in the things that we’re asking him to do physically.”
On Thursday, the 49ers signed an ex-Raven, cornerback Will Davis. The former third-round pick appeared in three games before tearing an ACL for the second straight season. The 49ers released receiver Rashard Ross to make room for Davis, 27.
San Francisco has worked out a number of veteran players in recent weeks, including seven defensive backs on Wednesday. Coaches said that gives the team an idea of whom they can call on if they need help at certain positions.
“I think Kyle (Shanahan] and John Lynch do an unbelievable job,” Saleh said. “They’re always looking outside. But just because a tryout happens doesn’t mean we are necessarily looking for something.”
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