Niner Noise
FanSided

3 SF 49ers who stood out for the right reasons vs. Washington

By Robert Morrison

The San Francisco 49ers offense squares off against the Washington Football Team defense Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco 49ers offense squares off against the Washington Football Team defense Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dion Jordan, SF 49ers
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Dion Jordan (96) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: SF 49ers DE Dion Jordan

On more than one occasion over the last several games, I’ve seen SF 49ers defensive end Dion Jordan make a play and thought to myself he’s turned into quite a useful player over the last few weeks.

By no means has Jordan, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft by the Dolphins, come close to living up to his lofty draft position. But as part of a rotation along the SF 49ers defensive line this year, he’s done quite well.

Jordan had another solid game in a losing effort on Sunday, finishing the game with three tackles, including one for loss, and his second sack in as many weeks, his third on the season.

His sack was a good showing of athleticism and relentlessness in going after Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins:

And while more has been expected from him during his NFL career, he has shown enough during his tenure with the 49ers to suggest that he could be even more effective as part of a rotation that includes the return of key pieces like pass-rushers, Nick Bosa and Ronald Blair, along with 2020 standout Kerry Hyder. Assuming the latter two free agents return, of course.

Jordan hasn’t been the SF 49ers’ best pass-rusher consistently in 2020. That designation continues to go to Hyder, but Sunday’s game was further proof that the former first-rounder could be a key cog in the Niners defensive line.

He’s scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason but could be the type of inexpensive veteran the SF 49ers could look to keep around to fill out the roster in 2021. His play over these last few weeks might have earned him a shot to do so.