San Francisco 49ers: 10 players to watch during 2019 training camp
By Peter Panacy
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.
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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.