49ers roster 2024: Jordan Elliott can be a boom-or-bust free-agent signing

The 49ers made numerous moves to address their defensive line this offseason, including adding veteran Jordan Elliott. Will he be a bonus addition?

The San Francisco 49ers have long championed their defensive line under the reign of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.

2024 has already seen plenty of changes, too, kicked off by the cap-saving release of defensive tackle Arik Armstead and then offset by other pickups, such as trading for fellow defensive tackle Maliek Collins and the free-agent pickup of former Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Jordan Elliott.

Elliott, 26 years old, joined the NFL as a third-round draft pick of the Browns back in 2020. A rotational player his first two years, the 6-foot-4 and 303-pound lineman turned into an interior starter in 2022 and became part of what was a budding Cleveland defense over the last couple of years.

That said, there are those who viewed him as more of a liability than a bonus.

Cleveland needed to improve its run defense entering 2023, and Elliott was part of that transition.

However, according to the folks over at Pro Football Focus, the former Missouri Tiger's run defense was lacking as he finished the year with a lowly 45.5 run-defense grade along with two missed tackles on 23 attempts.

Granted, PFF grades aren't exactly taken as gospel, but it's not hard to draw a conclusion that Elliott might not be the best answer to solve the Niners' own run-defense woes that'll potentially loom larger with Armstead no longer in the mix.

What is Jordan Elliott's contract with 49ers?

Elliott signed a two-year, $7 million free-agent deal with San Francisco during the offseason, $2.325 million of which is guaranteed.

That's an excellent indication he'll make the 53-man roster, as it'd cost the 49ers nearly $1 million in dead money over the next two seasons if he's cut, according to Over the Cap.

What role will Jordan Elliott have with 49ers D-line?

In addition to Collins, Elliott is one of a number of new faces jockeying for spots on the D-line's interior depth chart.

Collins is likely tabbed as a starter alongside returning defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, while Elliott likely serves as a rotational player and primary backup, competing with the likes of Kevin Givens, Kalia Davis, T.Y. McGill and Evan Anderson during training camp.

Elliott probably has the edge over those other names, though, meaning he could platoon with Hargrave and Collins, particularly on third-down pass-rushing situations where his physical prowess is a bit more imposing. And if he turns into one of those quality interior rushers who can still accumulate sacks and tackles for a loss in a reserve role, it'll be all the better a signing on the Niners' part.

If Elliott is tasked with serving as a run-defending interior lineman only, it might be a bit more of a liability waiting to happen.

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