After moving on from a longtime contributor along the defensive line, the 49ers will make a notable addition. Leonard Floyd has agreed to a deal with San Francisco, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Floyd was among the several late-20s or early-30s edge rushers who needed to wait out a cold market last year. His May Bills agreement broke the ice, with the perennial AFC East champs landing the Rams cap casualty for just $7MM. Last year showed Floyd was not merely an Aaron Donald beneficiary, with the pass rusher tying a career-high with 10.5 sacks.
Once run out of Chicago for failing to deliver on his draft status, Floyd has proven to be one of the 2020s’ steadiest edge players. The former top prospect has finished with between nine and 10.5 sacks in each of the past four seasons, and his consistency was expected to make him a popular name on the market.
While Floyd could have profiled as a team’s top edge rusher, he’ll be playing second fiddle to Nick Bosa in San Francisco. The 49ers have been seeking a dependable source of sacks opposite their star pass rusher, with the team trying out the likes of Dee Ford, Samson Ebukam, Drake Jackson, Clelin Ferrell, and Chase Young at the second spot on the depth chart. Now, they’ll have an elite option playing opposite Bosa.
The 49ers clearly made Floyd a priority to fill the hole on their depth chart. New assistant coach Brandon Staley is plenty familiar with his new pass rusher; Staley was the Rams defensive coordinator when the two were in Los Angeles together, and Staley also served as the OLBs coach when the two were in Chicago.
Yessssss!!!! Finally a good move!
Agreed, still doesn’t help the run d though
I wonder if they will address the run defense
I’m holding out hope that we re-sign Armstead to a more cap friendly deal
Doubtful, they approached him about a pay cut before they released him
Yea, but he won’t be touching what he had on the open market. So if he realizes his market is what the 9ers were offering, it could be possible. He is a good player, but I doubt any teams are going to be offering top dollar to a guy who played 21 of 34 games over the last 2 years.