San Francisco 49ers: Takeaways from Kwon Alexander, Dee Ford introductory presser

With linebacker Kwon Alexander and EDGE Dee Ford now officially signed, the San Francisco 49ers held an introductory presser to discuss the signings and field questions from the media.

The San Francisco 49ers started off the week slowly but quickly gained momentum during free agency, making several big signings.

In particular, EDGE Dee Ford and linebacker Kwon Alexander.

The Niners also secured cornerback Jason Verrett, linebacker David Mayo and recently signed wide receiver Jordan Matthews. Not to mention the somewhat surprise signing of running back Tevin Coleman.

As well as bringing in several out of towners, the 49ers retained some of the current playing group who were off contract. Defensive back Jimmie Ward will be returning, along with linebacker Elijah Lee and safety Antone Exum Jr.

Introducing Ford and Alexander

Welcome Dee Ford & Kwon Alexander!

Posted by San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, March 14, 2019

One of the 49ers biggest needs for the offseason was signing a veteran EDGE. While they have the capability to apply the pressure inside with defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, the EDGE is where they have long since struggled.

And while the Niners will still likely further add to the depth at EDGE via the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft, they’ve at least taken the first step in strengthening their defense.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned during the press conference he is happy with the fact that he will no longer have to line his offense up against Ford with his impressive speed and ability to get after the ball.

“Dee, always, when you can turn on the tape and he scared you as a coach because you could see how fast he gets off the ball,” Shanahan said. “Not all pass rushers you can see that, but as soon as you press play, you can see it with Dee. I’m glad I don’t have to get freaked out watching that anymore.”

With Ford playing in the Kansas City Chiefs’ 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker, it wasn’t entirely known where he would line up in the 49ers’ 4-3 defense. With the defensive line and SAM linebacker both being options, Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have elected to play him on the defensive line in the LEO position.

The change to LEO should be a fairly natural and easy transition for Ford to make. Still providing him the opportunity to get after the quarterback from the defensive line as he did in Kansas. Something Lynch touched on while discussing the scheme fit with the 49ers.

“We really thought it was a great fit,” Lynch said. “We had some conversations with the Chiefs, and as those progressed, it became more of a likelihood…We’ve been looking for a closer, someone who can close halves, close games, get off the field on third down…He fits the LEO mold perfectly.”

Last season saw defensive end Solomon Thomas play LEO for the majority of the season. However, he would often leave the field on passing downs. Thomas did enjoy more success towards the end of the season with the 49ers moving him more to the inside, his natural position out of college.

And it looks like Thomas will continue this move into the new year with Shanahan planning to leave Thomas on the outside on run downs, and bringing him inside on passing situations. This makes sense with the addition of Ford and his new role as the LEO.

Alexander wasn’t a name that many associated with the 49ers pursuing during free agency to help strengthen their linebacker corps. Given his recent ACL tear and known for missing tackles due to his aggressive playing style, he is a risk to some extent. However, if that risk pays off, it will pay big dividends for the Niners.

Alexander’s most productive year came in 2016 where he recorded an impressive 145 combined tackles, including 108 solo tackles. He had 12 tackles for a loss, along with seven quarterback hits and three sacks. He had one forced fumble and fumble recovery, seven pass deflections and one interception which he returned for a touchdown.

“He plays with his hair on fire,” Lynch said. “I think that kind of play is contagious. We needed that. He’s also extremely productive, and I think I saw it and Kyle saw it and our staff saw it, and we just say it really just kept growing and growing to, hey, this is a guy we want here. We sure are happy to have him.”

“You know, when you get to free agency, you’re looking for players that are going to make your team better,” Lynch continued. “The good news with a guy like Kwon is he has an ACL. Those things get better. He’s putting in the work. We had a physical that was very thorough, and our doctors came out feeling good about it.”

While Shanahan was unable to provide an answer as to who will be wearing the green dot, linebacker Fred Warner is viewed as the favorite to continue his role in the MIKE linebacker position. With Alexander lining up at WILL. However, if Shanahan is to put Alexander in the MIKE role, a simple swap of the two positions should work out fine.

And, with Ford confirmed for LEO, will we see linebacker Malcolm Smith return to SAM, with the 49ers yet to re-sign linebacker Mark Nzeocha. Smith hasn’t provided the team with much production since coming over from the Oakland Raiders. Hampered by a pectoral tear in his first year and chronic Achilles problems last season, Smith agreed to a restructured deal for the 2019 season worth around $4 million.

With the 49ers defense performing fairly poorly throughout much of the season, they obtained an unwanted NFL record for the fewest takeaways and fewest interceptions in a season. Something they do no want or need a repeat of if they intend to start closing out games and limiting the success of the opposing offense.

“These are the type of players that we believe can reverse that trend,” Lynch said. “Starting with Kwon, he’s always had a propensity. He’s always around the ball. And then Dee, he has a knack for getting the ball out. Eight forced fumbles last year, and as Kyle said, that first step is lethal. We think that can help our entire team get that virus going, where we’re taking away the ball on a regular basis.”

Continuing on defense, it was very much expected the 49ers would look to free agency to help supplement the talent at safety, a position they experienced problems in, along with the secondary in general.

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However, rather than spending the money on safety Earl Thomas or the likes of Landon Collins or Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The 49ers opted to re-sign both Ward and Exum to relatively cheap deals. While they may select a safety in the later rounds of the draft, it looks like they will be running with a similar crew to that of last season.

While Ward is quite the capable player when he is healthy, staying healthy is his main problem. Something which has considerably affected his playing time with the Niners.

“Exum did a heck of a job last year stepping in, playing in a position he hadn’t played before,” Shanahan said. “Really stepped it up. Had an opportunity because of injuries and got better each game. Jimmie Ward has played at an extremely high level throughout his career when he’s been healthy. We all know he’s struggled to stay healthy, which has been unfortunate for him.”

One of the more unexpected moves made during free agency was the signing of Coleman to add to the running back depth chart. With Shanahan’s love of running backs, especially ones that are capable pass-catchers, it makes good sense. Considering the still unknown certainty surrounding running back Jerick McKinnon and his ability to bounce back from his ACL tear.

I touched on what the running back depth chart may look like for 2019 and analysed a few potential reasons for the signing. Along with the ways in which Shanahan may utilize his surplus of backs.

One thing Shanahan was adamant about, was that the signing of Coleman in no way reflects anything with where McKinnon is at in his rehab and recovery.

“No, not at all,” Shanahan stated. “We were very fortunate to have a chance to get Tevin. Didn’t really think that at all that would be a possibility of going through. It ended up working out, and I remember going into this I’ve never had where I’d say at least four backs right now who played at a high-level last year. But, I don’t consider it a problem. I consider it a very good thing. There’s a lot of guys we have confidence in and a lot of guys with some different skill sets too that we can use differently.”

The 49ers will also be in the hint for a new punter, following Bradley Pinion signing a new deal with the Tamp Bay Buccaneers. When asked what the situation was in this regard, Shanahan replied he is open to sourcing a punter via the draft, free agency or a trade.