49ers free agency: Grading each opening-wave move by John Lynch
By Peter Panacy
John Lynch, 49ers signing Hassan Ridgeway
Scouting Report. Defensive Tackle. Hassan Ridgeway. C-. player. 42. Pick Analysis. San Francisco 49ers
On paper, it looks as if Hassan Ridgeway would be the immediate replacement for D.J. Jones, a two-gap interior lineman who can come off the field in pass-rushing situations but can still manage quality run-stopping capabilities.
Not entirely, though.
Ridgeway, 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, is a better run-stuffer than pass-rusher, yes. But he’s almost more of a 3-technique player and won’t offer up much in the pass-rush department despite registering five sacks over his three-year term with the Eagles.
The Niners inked Ridgeway on an affordable one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million this season, which isn’t bad in any regard.
However, San Francisco is taking a bit of a risk with Ridgeway’s injury history, which limited him to just seven games played during both the 2019 and 2020 seasons. In 2019, it was an ankle injury, followed by a biceps injury in 2020.
Ridgeway likely will be a rotational player at most for the 49ers and won’t completely fill Jones’ role.