The San Francisco 49ers released edge rusher Dee Ford on July 27. The veteran dealt with a string of injuries as a 49er. Thus he could never stay on the field for a consistent amount of time.
Ford played three seasons with the 49ers; that is a maximum of 49 regular season games he could have played. The 31-year-old appeared in just 18 of those potential games.
Although injury plagued his run with the 49ers, he was still good when he was on the gridiron. As a member of the team, Ford tallied 9.5 sacks and a trio of forced fumbles. The man was productive in, all totaled, a game over a full season in the bay area.
Dee Ford would slot in nicely for the Rams
As a comparison, Leonard Floyd, the man Ford would work opposite of, had the same number of sacks last season. However, Floyd forced fewer turnovers.
After Von Miller departed this offseason, the Rams’ search for a replacement has not gone far. The team seems content with giving younger players a shot at the role, but if they can’t fill the void that Miller left behind, Ford is a readily available option.
Los Angeles shouldn’t break the bank for the veteran; he has not shown any ability to stay healthy these last few seasons. However, giving him a low paying contract with incentives could go a long way, provided he can remain healthy.
Ford has eight years of professional experience. His play level is not the same as Miller’s, but he is a good player when he is on the field.
However, with the best defensive line group in the NFL, good edge rush play is sufficient for the Rams. Ford is a guy who knows how to get to the quarterback.
The veteran has 40 career sacks and 12 forced fumbles throughout his career. The team’s search for an edge rusher could end with Ford. And he would be a good fit for the squad, provided he can stay healthy.
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