SF 49ers: 4 biggest unsung heroes over first 11 games of 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: SF 49ers EDGE Kerry Hyder
The other three unsung players on this list deserve proverbial “pats on the back” for their efforts this season.
In the case of EDGE Kerry Hyder, he deserves mountains of praise.
More from SF 49ers Roster
- 49ers roster: 5 players who could get cut after 2023 NFL Draft
- 49ers roster: Insanely early 53-man roster projection for 2023
- Kyle Shanahan is wrongly handling his QB situation with Trey Lance
- Zane Gonzalez trade doesn’t mean 49ers won’t draft a kicker
- 49ers roster: Top remaining free-agent tackles on the market
Signed to a one-year “prove it” deal last offseason, Hyder was merely intended to provide supplementary pass-rushing help behind edge rushers Nick Bosa and Dee Ford. But both Bosa and Ford are sidelined on injured reserve indefinitely with injuries and likely won’t play this season, suddenly putting Hyder into a prominent role.
And he’s delivered.
Hyder recorded two sacks in San Francisco’s win over Los Angeles, upping his team-high total to 7.5 and getting within half a sack of his career-best total set back with the Detroit Lions in 2016. On top of that, Pro Football Focus has given him a pass-rush productivity mark of 8.8, which is sixth best among edge defenders and getting close to the ranks of top-tier pass-rushers like T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers (10.3) and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Joey Bosa (11.3).
Not bad at all, especially when considering the role Hyder was intended to have.
dark. Next. 49ers' biggest studs, duds from Week 12 win over Rams
Simply put, Hyder has been one of the Niners’ best storylines this season and should be a prime re-sign candidate for the team when he hits free agency this offseason.