The 49ers were delighted to get the opportunity to land an edge rusher of Randy Gregory's caliber in a trade on Friday, and a big reason why they snatched that chance with both hands is likely to be the disappointing performances of the non-Nick Bosa defensive ends so far this season.

San Francisco's defensive line has delivered the destruction anticipated from a star-studded group, but most of that disruption has come from an interior strengthened by the blockbuster addition of Javon Hargrave in free agency, with Arik Armstead's strong start and Javon Kinlaw's emergence supplementing the impact of his arrival.

On the outside, Bosa has only one sack, but he is second among edge rushers with at least 100 pass rush snaps this season in pass rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus. The problem is the effectiveness of those across from him.

Drake Jackson looked as if he might have solved that issue in the season opener, which saw him record three sacks. However, he has registered just six pressures since recording five in Week 1 and does not have a single quarterback hit.

Meanwhile the reclamation of former Raiders fourth overall pick hasn't gone entirely to plan. Ferrell looked set to enjoy a career year in preseason, but he does not have a sack through four games and has only five pressures in 129 snaps.

San Francisco's acquisition of Gregory may have been motivated in large part by the low cost of the opportunity, but it was also one born of necessity. Having cruised to a 4-0 record, the 49ers are entering a pivotal stretch of a regular season they hope will end with the one seed in the NFC and a first-round bye.

Sunday's heavyweight fight with the 3-1 Cowboys on Sunday Night Football is the first of eight meetings with 2022 playoff teams in a span of nine games. The only team they will face that did not make the playoffs last season is the 2-2 Browns.

As such the 49ers can't afford to wait much longer to see if Jackson or Ferrell can be consistent difference-makers on the defensive line this season. They needed to stack the deck with a veteran who has proven he can frequently pressure the quarterback. Gregory had 43 pressures in his final season with the Cowboys and was 15th in pass rush win rate (min. 100 pass rush snaps) last season in an injury-disrupted first season with Denver last year.

Gregory will likely start in a rotational role when the 49ers face the Browns in Week 6, but he undeniably has the talent to eventually take the starting job. Therefore the pressure on both Jackson and Ferrell, who have essentially shared the defensive end spot across from Bosa this year, is now extremely high.

They know if they do not deliver more production rushing the passer then their snaps could soon start to dwindle. Yet competition brings out the best in people, and the 49ers will hope the addition of Gregory not only gives them a veteran outside pass rusher they know they can lean on, but also takes the games of Jackson and Ferrell to a level where San Francisco quickly becomes spoilt for choice on the edge.

49ers have reason for hope they can neutralize potential Cowboys advantage

Steve Wilks is rightly confident.