The defensive re-tooling effort in Washington is continuing. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that the Commanders are expected to sign defensive end Clelin Ferrell.
After spending last season with the 49ers, the former No. 4 overall pick saw his most recent team devote more funds to replacing him. San Francisco added Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos on the first day of the legal tampering period, leaving Ferrell out of the mix. Dan Quinn’s team will add the five-year veteran to its evolving group of DEs.
Although the 49ers added Chase Young and Randy Gregory via trade last year, they turned to Ferrell as the full-time starter opposite Nick Bosa. That setup produced 3.5 sacks but a career-high 13 quarterback hits. Ferrell, however, suffered what turned out to be a season-ending injury in San Francisco’s meaningless Week 18 contest. The 49ers placed him on IR, with the timing of that move preventing an activation before Super Bowl LVIII.
In addition to trading Young and Sweat on deadline day, the Commanders have fill-in starters James Smith-Williams and Casey Toohill unsigned. Dorance Armstrong is expected to take over as one D-end starter; Ferrell could have a chance to supplement him. Washington also agreed to terms with Frankie Luvu to help out its sack efforts, though the ex-Panther is technically a linebacker.
Ferrell joins Arden Key as a player the 49ers helped rebound. While the Raiders cut Key before the conclusion of his rookie contract, they retained Ferrell for four unremarkable years. He closed that tenure as a healthy scratch at points for the Silver and Black. Quinn will see what the former top prospect looks like in his system.
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