Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 10 players to watch during 2019 training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 7: San Francisco 49ers stretch during a practice session at Levi's Stadium on August 7, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 7: San Francisco 49ers stretch during a practice session at Levi's Stadium on August 7, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 07: Linebacker Dee Ford #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to the preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium on August 7, 2014 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 07: Linebacker Dee Ford #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to the preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium on August 7, 2014 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

No. 3: EDGE Dee Ford

Yes, the 49ers are hoping Nick Bosa comes in and makes an immediate impact.

But they’re also expecting the same from their 2019 trade acquisition, EDGE Dee Ford, and the Niners are paying Ford a whole lotta more money to do so — five years at $85 million, to be exact.

More from Niner Noise

Ford is a part of the Niners’ attempt to reinvigorate their pass rush. And after Ford’s brilliant 13-sack, seven forced-fumble campaign a year ago, which resulted in his first trip to the Pro Bowl, San Francisco hopes to have achieved this.

The thing is, however, 2018 marked essentially a breakout season for the 28 year old. True, he had a double-digit sack campaign back in 2016. Aside from those two years, however, Ford has been somewhat inconsistent.

The question for training camp and beyond is whether or not Ford can live up to the expectation level the 49ers are placing on him.

Fortunately, Ford joins a star-studded cast up front along the Niners defensive line. Bosa, Arik Armstead, Solomon Thomas and DeForest Buckner all have one thing in common with Ford: They’re all first-round NFL Draft picks.

And while Buckner might be the only established standout from that crop, Ford at least has the chance to seize what could be a massive opportunity.

The Niners hope he’ll do just that right out of the gate in training camp.