Niner Noise
FanSided

Grading 49ers’ 2019 offseason through opening of NFL free agency

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 13: Dee Ford #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after a sack at Arrowhead Stadium during the third quarter of the game against the San Diego Chargers on December 13, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 13: Dee Ford #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after a sack at Arrowhead Stadium during the third quarter of the game against the San Diego Chargers on December 13, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

. . TRADING FOR EDGE DEE FORD. B+.

Shortly after news broke the Browns had landed Odell Beckham, the Niners made their own splash move by grabbing Dee Ford from the Chiefs in exchange for a 2020 second-round NFL Draft pick.

In terms of compensation and need, it’s a great move. Ford immediately helps fill a need, mandated by the fact the 49ers had only 37 sacks last year, and many of those came from the interior of the defensive line.

Ford, who was hit with the Chiefs’ franchise tag before being traded, will subsequently get an extension for five years and worth an average annual amount of $17.4 million:

The soon-to-be 28 year old set a career high in sacks during his Pro Bowl 2018 campaign with 13.0, following an injury-plagued 2017 season. The year prior, Ford managed 10 after being buried on the Chiefs depth chart behind pass-rushers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston.

San Francisco is hoping that’s the kind of production Ford replicates, especially considering he’s not much of a run defender and has had only two years of notoriety at the pro level.

Still, a solid B-plus grade is worthwhile here, as this move takes pressure off the 49ers from landing and developing a top-tier pass-rusher early in the 2019 NFL Draft, where the Niners are slated to pick No. 2 overall.

Even if San Francisco grabs a top edge rusher early, pairing that prospect with Ford should make a massive difference.