5 players who likely suited up with SF 49ers for the last time
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: SF 49ers EDGE Kerry Hyder
The SF 49ers have plenty of re-sign priorities heading into 2021, including left tackle Trent Williams, cornerback Jason Verrett and fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
True, the Niners’ leading sack specialist from this season, EDGE Kerry Hyder, has to be high up that list, too. It’s always wise to build up pass-rushing depth, and Hyder’s career-best year with a team-high 8.5 sacks suggests he’ll be a nice complement to injured edge rushers like Nick Bosa and Dee Ford when they’re both scheduled to return in 2021.
But Hyder, who was on the roster bubble out of training camp, might have played himself out of San Francisco’s price range for his services.
Coming off a career year, it’s often tempting for teams to re-sign players with the hopes they’ve turned a proverbial page. While Hyder stood out with the Detroit Lions in 2016, he’s been much more of a supplementary pass-rusher and depth piece, little more. And while the SF 49ers surely appreciate his services and versatility to play anywhere along the defensive line, it’ll be a tall order to bring him back on the cheap.
Unless Hyder realizes the bulk of his success stems from working with Niners defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, who coached him during the pass-rusher’s eight-sack campaign back in 2016.