49ers bolster pass rush with trade for Randy Gregory

The 49ers already have one of the most fearsome defensive lines in the NFL, and it just got a little more dynamic with the acquisition of Randy Gregory. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the 49ers have struck a deal with the Broncos for Gregory, who was set to be cut by Denver in a move […]

Nicholas McGee

Oct 6, 2023 3:58 PM EDT

Dec 25, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (3) carries the ball against Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gregory (5) in the first half at SoFi Stadium. — Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers already have one of the most fearsome defensive lines in the NFL, and it just got a little more dynamic with the acquisition of Randy Gregory.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported the 49ers have struck a deal with the Broncos for Gregory, who was set to be cut by Denver in a move to focus on its younger players.

The reported terms of the deal sees Denver send a seventh-round pick to San Francisco along with Gregory, while the 49ers have parted with a sixth-round pick.

A second-round pick of the Cowboys in 2015, Gregory could make his 49ers debut against the team that drafted him. The 4-0 Niners face the 3-1 Cowboys in a blockbuster Sunday Night Football matchup this week.

Gregory has never quite lived up to his pre-draft billing, reaching six sacks in only two seasons (2018 and 2021) in his NFL career. The 2021 season was his best to date, as he tallied 43 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, and 12 quarterback hits, the latter number putting him tied for 13th among edge defenders.

He parlayed that campaign into a five-year, $70 million contract with the Broncos, yet he ended up playing in only 10 games for Denver, his 2022 season having been disrupted by a knee injury.

The Broncos are now focusing on younger talents Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, but Gregory now has the chance to make a big impact as a rotational edge rusher for the team that stands as the clear Super Bowl favorite after four weeks of the season.

While reigning Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa is third in the NFL in pass rush win rate among edge rushers with at least 50 pass rush snaps, the 49ers haven't had a great deal of production from their defensive ends since Drake Jackson's three-sack game in Week 1.

Gregory has the talent to change that, and working on a defensive line that has a dominant interior led by splash free agent signing Javon Hargrave and playing under a renowned D-Line coach in Kris Kocurek, he is in an excellent position to make a crucial contribution for a team desperate to get over the hump.