The 49ers are already losing defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans to the Texans, and these soon-to-be Niners free agents may soon follow.
It’s not uncommon for a first-time head coach to bring some players with him from his former program.
Case in point, former San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel ultimately ended up with some previous Niners players, such as running back Raheem Mostert and wide receiver Trent Sherfield, when he took over the Miami Dolphins‘ head-coaching job in 2022.
Now, it’ll be soon-to-be former San Francisco defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans’ turn to do so.
Ryans is officially going to become the next head coach of the Houston Texans, as announced on Tuesday, which will mark the end of a highly successful two-year tenure as coordinator of one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Understandably, Ryans will probably want to bring over some 49ers players who are hitting NFL free agency this offseason, not unlike what McDaniel did.
If that’s the case, these five pending free agents could be on their way to Houston.
49ers DT Hassan Ridgeway might follow DeMeco Ryans to Texans
Before suffering what turned into a season-ending pectoral injury, veteran defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway was quite the nice free-agent storyline for the Niners over the first half of 2022, filling a number of roles and helping make up for injury absences to fellow defensive tackles like Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw.
Ridgeway’s versatility might be something of use for a defensive line that surrendered a historically bad average of 170.2 rush yards per game.
With Ryans’ proven track record of having a great run-stuffing defense, someone like Ridgeway coming aboard and filling a flexible void as either a spot starter or high-quality reserve would be valuable.
Speaking of value, Ridgeway isn’t going to be expensive either, especially coming off an injury, which will allow Ryans and the Texans to splurge in NFL free agency elsewhere.
49ers EDGE Samson Ebukam might follow DeMeco Ryans to Texans
Despite being awful against the run last season, Houston was surprisingly in the middle of the pack, in terms of the pass rush, boasting 39 sacks and getting nine of them from defensive lineman Jerry Hughes.
However, one of the best ways to turn a downtrodden defense around is by reinforcing the pass rush, and the Texans could stand to do so by any means necessary.
EDGE Samson Ebukam didn’t quite cut it as a quality No. 2 pass-rusher opposite the Pro Bowler, Nick Bosa, during the former’s two-year stint with San Francisco. But DeMeco Ryans sure got the most out of Ebukam late in 2021 and then again in 2022 by setting a career-high in sacks with five.
Rotational pass-rushers are notably important, and Houston’s pass-rushing depth could easily absorb someone like Ebukam.
Especially if Ryans already has a proven track record with him.
49ers LB Azeez Al-Shaair might follow DeMeco Ryans to Texans
The 49ers had a luxury that wasn’t sustainable: three linebackers all capable of starting for two positions.
The trio of Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw and Azeez Al-Shaair helped comprise what Pro Football Focus tabbed as the No. 1 linebacking corps in the NFL entering 2022. However, once the Niners extended Greenlaw and in the wake of already committing to Warner, Al-Shaair has to be the odd man out.
Simply put, he won’t return to San Francisco on a cheap deal.
The 25-year-old Al-Shaair isn’t going to necessarily be an expensive commodity, per se. But 2023 will mark the first time he can cash in as an unrestricted free agent, and his play in relief of Greenlaw the last two seasons has more than cemented himself as a starting-caliber option.
Especially with the track record of DeMeco Ryans’ work as a linebackers coach, and one knows Ryans will want to bring over one of his former backers with the 49ers.
49ers DB Jimmie Ward might follow DeMeco Ryans to Texans
Yes, the longest-tenured Niners player probably won’t return to San Francisco in 2023.
Defensive back Jimmie Ward did a lot for the team last season, moving from free safety to nickel cornerback, thanks to the surprising ascent of reserve safety Tashaun Gipson, who’ll be much cheaper for the 49ers to re-sign.
Assuming the 31-year-old Ward wants to cash in on what’ll likely be the last significant contract of his career, going to a cash-rich location like Houston makes more sense.
Plus, at least from what Ward said about head coach Kyle Shanahan “forcing” him to stay at nickel, it wouldn’t appear as if the Niners’ 2014 first-round NFL Draft pick would want to come back anyway.
A fresh start under DeMeco Ryans might be exactly what Ward would want, especially if he could cash in on a sizable deal and be part of the leadership for a team going through what’ll be a massive rebuild over the next few years.
49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo might follow DeMeco Ryans to Texans
What, you thought it’d be only defensive players from San Francisco defecting with DeMeco Ryans to Houston via NFL free agency?
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo should have no reason to return to the 49ers after the awkwardness that has surrounded him the last two years. Unless the Niners are willing to pay him north of $30 million per year and guarantee him a starting job in 2023 (they won’t), Garoppolo’s camp will seek employment elsewhere.
Last season told us that Texans quarterback Davis Mills isn’t the long-term answer, and despite Houston owning the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft and having a clear shot at someone like quarterbacks Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, the Texans’ roster is bereft of talent to the point where a veteran mentor needs to toe the line for at least a full season.
Enter Garoppolo.
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Granted, Garoppolo might not want to go from one lame-duck situation to another, but he does have a working rapport with Houston’s general manager, Nick Caserio, from their days together with the New England Patriots.
Money talks, too, and the Texans could opt for a nice deal for Garoppolo while looking to groom their quarterback for the future over the long haul.
NFL free agency officially starts on March 15, and it’ll be provocative to see which former San Francisco players Ryans will want to onboard.