49ers' splash free agency signing will pay off in more ways than one
NFL offenses are going to dread matching up against the 49ers defense.
The San Francisco 49ers had an interesting first day in free agency. They invested in the trenches, yet again; and, they also signed a former No. 3 overall pick.
It should be no surprise that the 49ers defensive line is one of the best in the entire NFL. It is made up of three former first round picks, and somehow it just got even scarier.
It was announced yesterday that the 49ers came to an agreement with arguably the best free agent on the market in defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.
This is a great move that will benefit all three levels of the 49ers defense
On the first level, it will draw some attention away from Nick Bosa. Although he is still the most impactful presence on that defensive line, more attention will have to be given to the interior. It will also draw some attention away from Arik Armstead. Having Hargrave eat up double teams will free up Armstead for more one-on-one opportunities, which bode well for his sack totals. Armstead had a career high 10.0 sacks in 2019. He could very well come close to that number again.
How does it help the second level?
Well, Hargrave, Bosa and Armstead will command, at minimum, four blockers from the offensive line. They still have another member on that defensive line that needs to be accounted for. So who is blocking the linebackers when they come on blitzes? Are they keeping a running-back in to block at all times? Are they going to keep a tight-end inline and slide protect to make sure everyone is accounted for? Either way it is an advantage for the 49ers. A running back against a linebacker, should go to a linebacker. If the oppositions slide protects, then one of the offensive linemen will take the linebacker, which leaves a tight end or a running-back one on one with a defensive end. The advantage should go to the defensive end.
And lastly how does it help with the third level? It helps the third level because of the pressure it will generate. With mismatches being formed in San Francisco's favor, they should win their matchups. Winning their matchups means pressure on the QB. The quicker you get pressure, the less time he has to throw. The median pocket time QBs had in the NFL last year was 2.41 seconds, the 49ers were on the low end of that spectrum with 2.3, they might be pushing for 2.1 next year.
That is not the only move the 49'ers made during free agency yesterday. They also signed someone who was drafted in the same spot as Trey Lance was; just three years earlier. They signed the former USC Trojan, now NFL journeyman Sam Darnold, to a one-year deal.
Many have given up on Darnold, and for fair reasons I would say. However, if there is one coach to turn his career around, it's Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan is known for his offense, and he can make virtually any QB look incredible. Just look at what he did with the reigning Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy.
Purdy started off his collegiate career hot, but fizzled out, which is what led to his seventh round selection. In five NFL starts, he has completed 67% of his passes, thrown 13 touchdowns to four interceptions, and has had led one game-winning drive.
That's not bad at all for the last pick in the NFL Draft. Obviously, the NFL saw something with Darnold that made him the No. 3 overall pick back in 2018. If Shanahan can find that something, the 49ers will have another QB to add to the shuffle.
A one year deal for $3.5 million guaranteed isn't a bad price point, either.
