SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have prioritized building their defense from the ground up since coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch took charge eight years ago.
The underwhelming performance of that unit during the challenging 2024 season has led to a nearly total revamp of the roster. I am counting on three rookies along with newly acquired Edge Rusher Bryce Huff to restore a dominant front that can effectively support returning star Nick Bosa.
To ensure a smooth integration of new talent, Coach Nina will be leaning on defensive line coach Chris Kocurek.
“This year is significant for the young talent we’ve brought on board, especially with Blythe joining us recently,” Kocurek stated Tuesday. “There are many fresh faces, and their contributions will be crucial. I anticipated some turnover, and incorporating four or five newcomers can be challenging, but I’m optimistic about it.”
The 49ers have released a three-week starter from last season and decided to part ways with costly veterans like Javon Hargrave, Leonard Floyd, and Maliek Collins, opting to embrace youth instead.
San Francisco selected versatile Georgia defensive end Michael Williams with their 11th overall pick, followed by a defensive tackle in the second round and CJ West in the fourth.
These moves aim to bolster a run defense that slipped to 4.45 yards per carry last season, which is over a yard worse than the average in 2022.
The Huff trade, finalized once he passed his physical on Tuesday, is designed to provide the team with a dynamic edge rush opposite Bosa.
The team recorded 10 sacks and 67 pressures on 334 pass-rush attempts in 2023, with no other edge rushers matching five sacks before sending a conditional fifth-round pick to Robert Saleh’s New York Jets.
Kocurek has noted that Huff’s speed and quick first step “jump off the tape” and is confident he can regain his form, having faced struggles last season in Philadelphia where he played more as a stand-up linebacker than as a dedicated edge rusher.
Huff missed five games in his lone season with Philadelphia, managing only two sacks and 23 pressures due to a wrist injury, although he returned to play in the Super Bowl.
“Transitioning from a ground defense to a stand-up outside linebacker role takes time and adjustment,” Kocurek explained. “There’s a learning curve, and you can’t just switch schemes overnight.”
Kocurek is hopeful that the changes in personnel will lead to improved performance after the previous season’s struggles, which contributed to a 6-11 record and the team’s lowest sack total since 2020, largely due to Bosa’s knee injury.
“If that doesn’t fuel your passion to coach, then you should reconsider your career,” Kocurek said. “The intensity runs deep, and it drives you to do everything possible to ensure it doesn’t happen again. No one should find satisfaction in that outcome.”
Note: The Niners made three additional roster changes after adding Huff. They signed receiver Malik Knowles to a one-year deal, waived Nicholas Petit-Frere, and placed WR Trent Taylor on IR.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Source: apnews.com