4 most important players on 49ers roster who aren’t starters
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: EDGE Kemoko Turay
Remember that part about Dee Ford? Well, it’s likely San Francisco moves on from him at some point soon this offseason, highlighting the team’s need to find a quality complementary pass-rusher to pair with Pro Bowler Nick Bosa.
The 49ers’ top pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, EDGE Drake Jackson, probably isn’t going to be an every-down player just yet, and he might even be worked in slowly to the pass-rushing rotation anyway.
This likely points to the Niners starting fellow EDGE Samson Ebukam much of the way and with the hope he can surpass the 4.5 sacks he had a year ago.
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But if Ebukam gets the lion’s share of starts opposite Bosa, another pass-rusher in a reserve role might be nearly as important.
One of San Francisco’s offseason free-agent pickups, EDGE Kemoko Turay.
The former Indianapolis Colts pass-rusher has been banged up with injuries over his four-year career, but him racking up a career-high 5.5 sacks over 13 regular-season games in 2021, the 49ers might get that pass-rushing thump they so desperately covet.
Turay might not come close to becoming a household name, but as a reserve option, he can still offer up a lot to the Niners defense.