San Francisco 49ers: 5 players who could be cut without playing a snap
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers EDGE Kerry Hyder
Generally speaking, it’s never a bad idea to have a lot of pass-rushers on a 53-man roster. And when you think your team has enough of them, add one more.
It seems this was the thought when San Francisco added veteran EDGE Kerry Hyder to a one-year free-agent deal during the offseason, hoping he could replicate the kind of 2016 campaign he enjoyed with the Detroit Lions when now-Niners defensive line coach Kris Kocurek was with his former employer.
For the record, Hyder enjoyed eight sacks and 19 quarterback hits that year.
The problem, though, is the 49ers defensive line remains stacked even after parting ways with DeForest Buckner. Premier edge rushers Nick Bosa and Dee Ford figure to get the lion’s share of defensive snaps, while the recently extended Arik Armstead should bounce around from both the inside and outside.
Simply put, there won’t be a lot of opportunities for Hyder even if he manages to make the roster.
Again, depth is important, especially considering Ford’s recent injury history. But when factoring in Hyder’s one-year, $1.5 million deal, it’s safe to assume he’ll have a long ways to go in order to hammer out a spot.
And if he doesn’t, he won’t have played a snap in San Francisco.