Today we continue our 9-part series on how much each position group will count against the 49ers 2021 cap, and today we have the Defensive Lineman.
The 49ers have 15 defensive lineman signed for 2021, with them set to count $49,617,480 against the 2021 cap.
First up is Arik Armstead, a guy who is really underappreciated by the fan base, he is set to count $12,455,882 against the 2021 cap.
Armstead really is a good player, is he a $17 million a year good player, maybe or maybe not, but he’s a versatile player, who was put into a tough spot as 1 of 2 defensive lineman to play in all 16 games, the other being Kerry Hyder Jr.
Armstead can play both the Big End spot, as well as the 3-Techniche spot, and he thrives when he’s rushing from the inside, so when the injury to Nick Bosa happened, it put so much pressure on him, and he had to play more on the EDGE.
Now we have Nick Bosa, who is coming off a torn ACL, who reportedly looks good, but didn’t participate in the limited OTAs, but he’s set to count $9,255,509 against the 2021 cap.
Bosa was the 2019 defensive rookie of the year, where he had 9 sacks, and was just dominant, and I expect him to return stronger than ever, and have a great season, maybe defensive player of the year candidate.
Dee Ford is next, now he missed 15 games last year, he’s set to count $8,909,997 against the 2021 cap, and while people just wanted to get rid of him, I wanted to see if he can recover.
The 49ers, & Ford agreed to a restructured deal that saved the team over $11 million in 2021, & over $9 million for 2022, while eliminating his 2023 year.
If Ford can have as close to an impact as he had in 2019, when he had 6.5 sacks, and he & Bosa were among the top 10 EDGE rushers, then I’d say that’s a huge win for the 49ers.
The question will be, will Ford start the season on the 53, or go on PUP, or short term IR, that we’ll find out soon enough.
Next we have Samson Ebukam, who signed a 2-year deal, worth $6 million a year, is set to count $3,720,588 against the 2021 cap, and likely was brought in to help the 49ers pass rush.
Ebukam hasn’t been the best player in the past, but the Rams had him lined up as a linebacker in coverage, where the 49ers will let him rush with his hands in the grass, and I expect him to make an immediate impact.
Now we have Javon Kinlaw, who many feel could be as good as DeForest Buckner, who the 49ers traded to the Colts for a 1st-round pick, which led to the 49ers picking Kinlaw, and he’s set to count $3,520,159 against the 2021 cap.
A lot of people have gotten on him about not making a huge impact in 2020, but come on, there was no offseason programs, no preseason, etc….
I fully expect Kinlaw to have a great year, continue to develop, and become a dominant defensive tackle.
Next is nose tackle D.J. Jones, who is set to count $3,455,882 against the 2021 cap.
Jones has had some injury problems, but when he’s been out there he’s shown that he’s a really good player, and the fact he could run down, and sack Kyler Murray says a lot for a guy his size.
If Jones has a great year, I expect the 49ers to re-sign him in 2022 to a multi-year deal.
Next up is Arden Key, who is set to count $1.245 million against the cap, he was released by the Las Vegas Raiders in a shocking move.
Yes he’s had his struggles, but I think that he will have a good showing, and DL Coach Kris Kocurek will get the best out of him, he could be this years Kerry Hyder Jr.
Now we have another guy the Raiders waived, Maurice Hurst Jr., who is set to count $1.045 million against the 2021 cap.
Hurst was highly regarded coming out of Michigan, but had a heart issue that led to him falling in the draft, but he has all the tools to be a very good player, someone you’d hope would earn a multi-year deal with the 49ers, and hopefully Hurst has a good year, and gets that deal, along with Arden Key.
Now we have former 2018 4th-round pick Kentavius Street, who is set to count $1,002,550 against the 2021 cap.
Street hasn’t lived up to the expectations he had coming out of N.C. State, he had a unfortunate injury as a workout that saw him tear his ACL, which is why he fell to the 4th-round, as he was regarded as a potential 1st-rounder.
Honestly, unless there is an injury, or someone plays badly, Street’s days as a 49er will likely be over.
Now we have Zach Kerr, who is set to count $966,912 against the 2021 cap.
Kerr is a guy who can play 3 positions, he can the Big End, he can play the 3-Techniche, and nose tackle, so he’s a great addition to the 49ers defensive line.
I expect Kerr to be a solid contributor each week, and he’s one of 9 defensive lineman I have as locks, 10 if Dee Ford is healthy enough to begin the season on the 53.
Next we have 2 EDGE rushers making $850,000 each, those being Daeshon Hall, and Jordan Willis.
Hall more than likely is a practice squad candidate, but Willis is a guy who will challenge for the 5th defensive end spot, that’s if Ford isn’t ready.
Now we have 3 players making $780,000 this season, those being Kevin Givens, Darrion Daniels, and Alex Barrett.
Now that Givens’ assault charge was dropped, he’ll be on the 49ers 53-man roster, as he’s one of my 9-10 locks to make the 53, and he should be active each week, while contributing to the teams defensive line, along with their success.
Daniels is a guy who I initially thought would make the team as a backup nose tackle, but the 49ers re-sign D.J. Jones, and added Zach Kerr, so Daniels likely will end up on the practice squad, while the hope is he’ll be on the 49ers 2022 53-man roster.
As for Barrett, he’s more than likely a practice squad candidate along with Daeshon Hall.
So with all of this said, I thank everyone for reading article, as always you can follow me on Twitter @49erscap, or leave a comment below, and I’ll get back to you.
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