5 backups who have stepped up a ton for the 49ers in 2023

Backup who stepped up No. 3: Randy Gregory, EDGE

The 49ers made a few trades to shore up their pass-rushing stocks, and Randy Gregory has certainly been more than worth the cheap price of a sixth-round pick in exchange for him (and a seventh-rounder) when the team did business with the Denver Broncos.

Gregory has thrived since coming to the Bay Area, with two sacks and providing constant pressures (including five against the Eagles) in a reserve role for the 49ers.

You can never have too many pass-rushers on the roster, and Gregory provides piece of mind as a starting caliber player who can be rested and unleashed as necessary.

While Gregory isn't someone who's going to be notching double digit sacks for the team, he's shown more than enough in a reserve role that the exchanging of late picks to ensure that he landed on the team has been worth the effort.

You don't make Super Bowls unless you can get to the quarterback, and Gregory has been a steady hand at causing havoc in the backfield.