49ers: 5 players who are facing their last chance in training camp
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers EDGE Arden Key
On one hand, the 49ers losing reserve EDGE Jordan Willis six games to a PED suspension creates a golden opportunity for some of the team’s other depth rushers.
On the other, 2021 training camp might be the last opportunity for EDGE Arden Key to prove he’s not a draft bust.
Key, who was once touted as a possible first-round pick out of LSU back in 2017, fell already into Round 3 of the 2018 draft when the Oakland Raiders grabbed him. At the time, it was viewed as a steal. But Key didn’t exactly catch on well enough with the silver and black, dealing with injuries over his three-year tenure there and boasting a mere three sacks during that timeframe.
Granted, the Niners didn’t hesitate to onboard Key as a free agent once he was waived by Las Vegas. So, perhaps, maybe they valued him a bit more than the Raiders. And with some pass-rushing depth questions already, there’s a chance Key winds up turning into a quality rotational player.
A need, especially with Willis gone for the first six weeks and continued questions about starting EDGE Dee Ford’s health heading into 2021.
But if Key also flames out or fails to impress with San Francisco, it doesn’t seem too likely another team will be lining up to sign him if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster.