5 SF 49ers free agents who follow Robert Saleh to NY Jets

No. 4: SF 49ers DE Ronald Blair

A rotational player, defensive end Ronald Blair missed the entire 2020 season dealing with complications from surgery underwent for a torn ACL the previous December. That said, in 2019, Blair was a key factor of the defensive line, playing primarily on the “Bravo” unit (backups) of the defensive line and making plays as the year went on.

Blair by no means is a star player who will drastically change the Jets defense for the better, but he is capable of playing well and being a “glue guy” who helps bring the culture change Robert Saleh will want when leaving the SF 49ers for the Jets. Blair also will be a cheap signing for the Jets, and given his injury concerns, it seems unlikely the Niners would be able to find the money to pay him among the plethora of free agents they have.

What really seals this as a possibility would be how much it seems Saleh likes Blair.

“He’s just a model of consistency, man,” Saleh once told reporters (h/t 49ers Webzone). “I love Ronnie. I’ve gushed about him up here, and I can do it for another 15 minutes if you all like. You guys know how I feel about him.”

These types of moves typically happen, bringing rotational players to ease the transition of the team to a new scheme and new mentality.