The 49ers Sign Defensive Tackle Jordan Elliott
Another defensive lineman.
The 49ers signed defensive tackle Jordan Elliott to a two-year, $10 million contract, according to The NFL Network. Elliott is the third defensive lineman the 49ers have added this offseason along with Leonard Floyd and Yatur Gross-Matos. Meanwhile, the 49ers haven't yet added any offensive players. Go figure.
Elliott, 26, is a former third-round pick who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Browns, where he recorded 5 sacks. So he's not a pass rusher. But the past two seasons, he was a starter. And last season, he played in the Wide 9, which means he fits the 49ers defensive scheme. That's why the 49ers signed him.
The 49ers certainly need defensive tackles after releasing Arik Armstead and letting Javon Kinlaw sign with the New York Jets, but I don't see Elliott as a replacement for Armstead. I see Elliott as a replacement for Kinlaw -- a backup defensive tackle who can start if necessary, but not someone who would play on passing downs. A rotational run defender only.
Armstead was a three-down defensive tackle who was a key part of the 49ers third-down pressure packages. Elliott can't replace Armstead in those situations. So expect the 49ers to draft a defensive tackle relatively high next month.
In the meantime, their base defensive line most likely consists of Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Jordan Elliott and Yatur Gross-Matos, while their nickel defensive line probably is made up of Bosa, Hargrave, Gross-Matos and Leonard Floyd.
Despite all these moves, it doesn't seem that the defensive line has improved.
