By Scooter_McG
The 49ers have reportedly agreed terms to sign DT Hassan Ridgeway on a 1 year deal worth $2.5M, with $1M in guaranteed money. At 6'3" and a shade over 300lbs, Ridgeway was originally drafted by the Colts in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. Ridgeway spent three seasons at the Colts before being traded to the Eagles where he has spent the past three seasons.
Ridgeway has been a rotational DT for the majority of his NFL career, with some starting experience filling in for injured players. When healthy, Ridgeway has been on the field for between 20% and 53% of his teams defensive snaps each year from 2016 to 2021. However, staying healthy has been an issue for Ridgeway as he missed a combined 34 games between 2018 and 2020 due to injury. For his career he has played in 65 regular season games with 12 starts, accumulating 80 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 20 QB hits.
Ridgeway is an interesting signing for the 49ers given the loss of DJ Jones and the players already on the roster. Jones was one of the best run defending DTs in the NFL in 2021, recording the highest run stop percentage of all interior DL according to PFF. 2020 first round pick Javon Kinlaw will be expected to step into that role next to Arik Armstead in 2022 but has so far struggled to stay healthy in his NFL career due to knee issues.
Behind Kinlaw and Armstead the 49ers already have Givens and Hurst. Both players are known as penetrating interior DTs but are generally more disruptive against the pass than run, which is also where Ridgeway's strength lies. Ridgeway is at his best as a pass rusher but has been a liability at times defending the run, as indicated by grading out as the third worst DT against the run in 2021 according to PFF.
It is worth noting that while DJ Jones ranked high in run stop percentage, his greatest asset was also his ability to penetrate into the backfield. That is clearly a skillset the 49ers coaching staff covets in their DTs and one that meshes well with Kris Kocurek's philosophy. It may be the 49ers feel that Ridgeway's limitations against the run can be mitigated within an attacking scheme that prioritises gap penetration.
The loss of Jones meant the 49ers had a need for more depth along the interior and the addition of Ridgeway provides that depth with a play style that the 49ers desire at a relatively low cost.
Jones is not worth $8 million more than Ridgeway.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Razor if you compare it to other players at his position.
ReplyDeleteIm curious to see whats gonna happen with our o-line depth.
Also regarding Jimmy G im not convinced that he stays cuz of the drama involved especially regarding the timing of the shoulder operation as a FO you cant let this behind cuz they treated him good especially comparing the money he received for games played.
Trading for Watson would be dumb cuz of what happend in Houston and also Trey has more potential and drive.
Scooter, another nice article. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOff-topic: Looks like Sherfield is going to Miami.
Thanks George.
DeleteI think the 49ers were hoping for a little more out of Sherfield last season. They'll either sign or draft a field stretcher to replace him/ Benjamin.
I was talking to a buddy last night, and he made a perfect point:
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to free agency and personnel decisions in general, ShanaLynch have certainly earned the benefit of the doubt ...
EXCEPT at the quarterback position, where they're inability to properly settle the QB position has already cost the 49ers at least one Super Bowl, maybe even two!
And BTW, when I say ShanaLynch, I mean Kyle Shanahan is ultimately making the decisions.
DeleteThink about it: They failed to even evaluate the 2017 QB draft class, instead signing Brian Hoyer to be the guy in 2017. That was an extremely dumb decision and Hoyer was an unmitigated disaster! Then they traded for Jimmy which seemed like a great move, except they signed him to a massive contract after only 5 starts, and that was dumb. Then they grossly overdrafted CJ Beathard, using a 3rd round pick on him ... do I even need to say anymore about that? And then they decided they didn't trust that they could win a Super Bowl with Jimmy, so they spent a fortune on a QB prospect only to draft a QB whom they decided wasn't even ready to compete with the QB whom he was drafted to replace. And now here we are in yet another league year and the QB that they've been trying to replace for 3 years is still on the roster and taking up nearly $27M in cap space.
It's like the Keystone Cops!
I thought you left...
DeleteLooks like the 49ers are negotiating with Jennings to lock him up now before he costs more next year. Smart. Hopefully he doesn't pull a Tomlinson and agrees to a mutually beneficial deal.
ReplyDeleteJennings is the prototypical #3 WR in Kyle's offense, and he shouldn't cost much considering he's more of a run blocking/possession WR than he is playmaker, and that's OK because Kyle needs exactly that out of his #3.
DeleteAs for Jimmy, there are a TON of Niner fans who are LIVID over the fact that the 49ers have lost much more in FA up to this point, than they've gained, while Jimmy continues to occupy a ton of cap space. ShanaLynch are traditionally not big spenders on day 1 of FA so no reason to panic about that, but the optics are not great, to say the least. It does look like Jimmy's cap hit could be limiting the 49ers FA options. I don't know to what degree it is hampering their ability to go after a couple more mid-level FA's, but the optics of the situation are really bad, regardless of the reality of it!
For instance - Raheem Mister. I really don't understand why they let Mostert walk at just over $3M when Mitchell is dirt cheap. Sure he's been injury prone, but Mitchell was in and out of the lineup all season as a rookie.
A Mostert/Mitchell tandem, with Deebo getting a few carries would have been a great pairing for Trey Lance. Maybe we see big strides out of Sermon this year, but the fact is, the Niners now have an extremely inexperienced group of RB's to pair with an inexperienced QB.
Shanny got a text from Bobby Turner:
DeleteTrestan Ebner Round 6
No matter whether they get Jimmy off the books soon or not, the it doesn't change the fact that 49ers could have had an addition $26.4M worth of cap space into this season, if they had traded Jimmy last off-season. That's not speculation, that's FACT! The 49ers could be HUGE players in FA this year, if they would have sent Jimmy packing last season.
DeleteIt's hard to argue that the 49ers wouldn't be in a better position to win the Super bowl this season if they had carried over Jimmy's $26.4M in cap space PLUS having Trey with a full season's worth of starting experience under his belt.
ShanaLynch gambled by keeping Jimmy around last season, and it ALMOST paid off, but ultimately they failed to even reach the Super Bowl. Not only that, Jimmy was so bad at times last season, not only did they come within a hair of missing the playoffs altogether, but his performance in the playoffs actually cost the 49ers a trip to the Super Bowl to play the Bengals, whom they had already beaten once last season.
What a shame!
Trestan Ebner?
DeleteWell, he looks like he has the right skillset, and that would give the 49ers a pair of Baylor RB's, but I have a hard time seeing Ebner, as a rookie, being anything other than a significant drop off from Mostert in 2022.
I thought the 49ers were going to try to get over the top this year, Razor. Shouldn't they consider a veteran RB to replace Mostert?
I doubt that they resign Wilson Jr, so that would be 2 RB's they are losing this season.
DeleteThat's 2 VETERAN RB's that they are likely losing this off-season.
DeleteA significant drop off? How's that when he only lasted two freaking plays? I didn't notice significant drop off when Mitchell was carrying the ball. I can't tell you how much I love that guy. No fumbles. Always falling forward. Ebner is also a legitimate returner.
DeleteRaheem Mostert has the highest YPC in the NFL, OF ALL QUALIFYING RB's, since 2019.
DeleteI like Ebner, from what I've seen. But Mostert has honed his craft for years. He's missed a lot of time, but who's to say Ebner is going to be durable? RB is a rough position.
DeleteBTW Razor, you did see what Mostert did in the 2019 postseason, right? Football players make the Legacy in the postseason. Jimmy's legacy SUCKS< thanks to the postseason in particular, and on top of that, he can't stay healthy. Where's the $27M plus-draft-picks value in Jimmy, who can't even start throwing again until July?
DeleteBTW 49Reasons, it's not what you've done. It's what have you done for me lately?
DeleteThat's a true statement, Razor. But how do you compare a college RB, who hasn't even proven he can play in the pros, to a RB who was really turning into one of the leagues best prior to the injuries? I agree that Mostert is an injury risk. No question about that, but as Mitchell and Wilson Jr and every other RB who has played for Kyle, they are injury risks by way of their position. I don't think $3M is really too much to risk for a player who has already proven that, when healthy, he's the perfect RB for Kyle's system.
DeleteBill Walsh would have never signed Mostert. He would have traded him last year.
DeleteI would remind you that Mr. Turner has a proven track record when it comes to identifying rb's for his system. Just because he's stepped away for the year, don't think for one minute he's not fully involved in the selection of this years day 3 draft pick. You may not trust Shanny, but I know you trust Bobby.
I do trust Bobby. And ShanaLynch have had good success with RB's, so I am sure they will be fine, but I would have resigned Mostert on the same 1 year deal as Miami gave him.
DeleteBTW, did you guys see this?:
Good Fits -
CHARVARIUS WARD
CB · Age: 25
San Francisco 49ers
The contract: Three-years, $40.5 million.
Using last season's scale of corner pay, Ward's new deal would rank around 11th in average annual salary. Paying outside of top-10 money for a soon-to-be 26-year-old with top-end trajectory? Yeah, that'll play -- especially with the scheme fit. According to Pro Football Focus, Ward's 49.8 completion percentage allowed in coverage since 2019 is the lowest mark in the NFL (min. 150-plus targets in coverage). PFF also shows that he's only missed five percent of tackle attempts since 2019, another No. 1 mark among corners. As far as fit is concerned, San Francisco allowed a 68.3 opponent completion percentage in 2021 (29th) and a 97.4 opponent passer rating (25th).
As for Hassan Ridgeway, I really like this move. Letting DJ Jones walk, and signing Ridgeway isn't an apples-for-apples move, but with the best DL Coach in the NFL (IMO), the 49ers were never going to come close to paying Jones what he ultimately got on the FA market.
ReplyDeleteOne thing this tells me is that the 49ers are likely going to use Kinlaw in more of a 2-down, run-stuffing role. I think that's probably the best decision. You hate to use such a high draft pick on a run-stuffing DT specialist, but you can't keep trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, and expect great success, even with the best DL Coach in the league.
Remember when 49Reasons promised that if SF beat LA in the last game of the season he'd stay away for a year...then the Niners won and he said he wouldn't be back until Training Camp 2022 (funny how he shortened his time away by 6 months even tho agreeing to a year)...and now he's back, not even a whole 2 months...wow...and nothing changed, still posting comments and replies to his own comments and replies, talking to himself (and his multiple personalities).
ReplyDeleteJesus man, you just proved yourself to not be a man of your word...classssssssless.
I'd stay away for the rest of the football year. It's a new football year, eMJay, and I almost made it. I did come back a little bit early, but hey, Jimmy ended up costing the 49ers the Super Bowl, and the 49ers have $27M less to spend right now because of him, so in the end, I was mostly right anyways!
DeleteSo you're a fraud and a joke. You agreed to stay away for a year...then you somehow changed it until opening day, now its not even been 2 months.
DeletePathetic.
Got it.
Forever blocked and ignored.
What about the team making a play for Julio Jones?
ReplyDeletePossible. His production has taken an absolute nose dive.
DeleteI don't think they will pay that sort of money for a field stretcher. MVS appears to be the guy they want for that role.
DeleteI think if they spend money on a receiver it will be a slot receiver. JuJu, Landry or Austin Hooper.
Allen Robinson to the Ramshttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/03/rams-to-sign-allen-robinson
ReplyDeleteThe Rams sign Allen Robinson while the 49ers play footsie with Garoppolo.
ReplyDeleteI'm tuning FA out for now. I'll catch you guys after Jimmy is no longer dragging my Niners down! Bye for now
Rams have lost a whole lot more than the 49ers this offseason with Whitworth retiring and Miller gone, and both teams have made one splash signing.
DeleteBut sure, lets praise the Rams for making this move.
Jimmy G's record against the Rams is pretty good.
DeleteWhat do you guys think of a day 3 pick on Jayden Peevy, DT, Texas A&M?
ReplyDeleteBummer....Tom Compton signs with the Broncos.
ReplyDeleteCompton was something of a pleasant surprise as a run blocker last season, but I am actually glad the team didn't re-sign him. If he was their backup plan in case McGlinchey can't go then they were going to be in trouble.
DeleteHave you two seen the edge rushers we'll be facing on the schedule. You're right about moving on from Compton and finding someone better in pass pro until McGlinchey is available.
DeleteTrue, but where else can we get the production that we got from Compton? McGlich might not be ready at the start of the year.
DeleteWith Tomlinson leaving and uncertainty surrounding Mack, we can potentially have 3/5 new starters on OL.
The more starters we replace in the O-Line, the longer it takes for them to gel in the pass and especially run game. Tough on the Kid Trey Lance too.
Jaylon Moore will likely compete with a vet they bring in.
DeleteScooter, I think that's a distinct probability. If it were me, I'd like to get Brunskill back at utility where maybe he fills in at RT.
DeleteWhat about Cam Jurgens in the 4th round outta Nebraska? He could compete for the RG spot against the other guys, while learning from Mack to be the center in 2023.
Tom Pelissero
ReplyDelete@TomPelissero
· 1h
#Browns QB Baker Mayfield has requested a trade, per sources.
Cleveland has been hoping to move forward after its Deshaun Watson pursuit and offered to fly to Texas to meet with Mayfield. But from the QB’s perspective, the bridge is burned and it’s time to move on now.
Man, the Packers just got a whole lot worse. Adams was option 1a and 1b for Rodgers.
ReplyDeleteNeither one mattered when the season was on the line on their turf. If Lance transcends we'll be set for years while the Packers are basically relying on Rodgers to carry the team. We've seen that movie before.
DeleteI heard a rumor the 49ers are interested in Landry.
ReplyDeleteWatson will be a Falcon tomorrow. Ryan will be a Colt. Winston a Saint. That leaves the Texans, Browns, and Panthers in need. Maybe the Raiders trade Carr to the Texans, and then trade for Jimmy. He'd have the best wr he's ever had to throw the ball up to.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't the Saints be a better landing spot for Watson?
DeleteI think they would, however I think Watson goes back home.
Delete
ReplyDeleteTom Pelissero
@TomPelissero
· 41s
The #49ers are signing former #Steelers WR/RS Ray-Ray McCloud to a two-year deal worth up to $10.4 million, per source.
So it's Ray Ray and not Juju - ha! (or should I say Haha -- who I believe is still available?)
DeleteNice.
DeleteI hope we can draft either Christian Watson,Tyler Smith or Jermaine Johnson Amy of those guys improves our team.
ReplyDeletehttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/FOIsDkcVIAQ-Ywf?format=jpg&name=small
ReplyDeleteThis chart reinforces my feelings that the 49ers are getting a C- grade for the off-season/free agency from me.
DeleteI am sure your wondering why such a low grade when the 49ers have improved their roster, at least according to Wins Above Replacement.
Here's the thing you are missing Razor: The 49ers are transitioning from a $26M QB, to a 2nd year QB who is on his rookie contract. The biggest advantage of having a QB who is in the 2nd year of his rookie contract, is that it allows you to spend more money in order to build your roster and improve. So while the 49ers may have already improved their roster, at least by a little, in terms of WAR, they haven't improved nearly enough relative to the kind of improvement they could potentially be making with all of their extra cap space gained by transitioning to a QB who takes up a MUCH smaller percentage of their salary cap. The 49ers are, up to this point of the offseason, coming up short in terms of improving the roster, when you factor in how much more money the 49ers could spend.
Now, it's way to early to give them any kind of complete offseason and/or free agency grade, because there are still a lot of free agents still out there, as well as a loaded draft class. plus, there are still potential trades to be made. But at this stage, I expected more, considering how much more money they should have to spend outside of the QB, and I believe carrying Jimmy's $26M is certainly handcuffing them to some extent.
But again, I do admit it's too early to judge their offseason moves so far. I am sure the 49ers aren't done signing FA's, so maybe they can turn this offseason around once Jimmy's off the books. Maybe they will hit home runs with every draft class.
And one more quick point. Even though it does appear the 49ers are a little bit ahead of the NFC pack, in terms of FA WAR, it's worth remembering that, to win a Super Bowl, they need to get past the AFC, which means they need to perform better than the top AFC team's as well.
Maybe they will hit home runs with every one of their draft *picks
DeleteThe 49ers have a great team, but if were being honest, the OL is much more of a question mark right now, than it has been the last couple seasons. And that's unfortunate, especially considering they have a young QB who is going into his first season as a starter. Plus, I am not currently happy with their depth at Safety, WR, CB, RB, in addition to OG and OT, so they still have a lot of work to do this offseason.
DeleteOne thing is for sure: The fact that the rest of the NFL seems to value Jimmy G even less than the 49ers do, and the 49ers have been flirting with replacing Jimmy for 3 straight years, is really DISSAPOINTING (but hardly surprising)!
DeleteMiddle of the pack
ReplyDeleteMost carries of 10+ yards by a rookie running back in 2021:
ReplyDelete💪 Elijah Mitchell: 31
💪 Najee Harris: 28
💪 Javonte Williams: 25
FYI, the 49rers go from a C- offseason grade, to a very solid B grade at this stage of FA from me, just as soon as Jimmy is off the books. Now, if they sit on a bunch of unspent salary cap space heading into this season, then their grade obviously craters. But having Jimmy taking up all that cap space while other teams are signing all the best FA's, is not only a bad look, it's just too conservative, IMO.
ReplyDeleteThe Rams have lost players but guess what .... the Rams have been extremely aggressive with personnel moves over the last few years AND IT PAID OFF. The Rams FO ran circles around ShanaLynch last offseason, and the Rams WON THE SUPER BOWL, so the Rams are playing with house money right now!
ReplyDeleteIan Rapoport
@RapSheet
·
19m
#Colts S George Odum is signing with the #49ers for 3 years and $10.95 million, source said.
Lance Zierlein on George Odum:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nfl.com/prospects/george-odum/32004f44-5540-1791-6650-dd05691b1af8