The 49ers are reportedly showing interest in Pro Bowl edge rusher Dee Ford, whom the Kansas City Chiefs tagged as their franchise player this week.
General manager John Lynch has preached that he and his staff will always do their due diligence when it comes to players who could help the team. Ford definitely fits the bill.
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The 49ers have nearly $70 million in cap space and a need for an edge rusher. Ford will likely not be the only name they are connected to this offseason. Lynch previously confirmed that the team “went real hard” after Khalil Mack when the Raiders were shopping him.
Ford played in 16 games in 2018, recorded 13 sacks and had a league-high of seven forced fumbles. Over his five seasons in Kansas City, he has recorded 30.5 sacks. His 2017 campaign was cut short, after being placed on injured reserve due to a lingering back injury.
One reason the Chiefs could be shopping him is that he is a better fit in a 3-4 defense.
New Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo operates in a 4-3 defense.
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[RELATED: Shanahan, 49ers 'went hard' after Mack in trade talks]
The Packers are reported to also be interested in Ford. Their outside linebackers coach Mike Smith worked with Ford last season in Kansas City. They also have $36 million in cap space which doesn’t make Ford’s approximately $15.4 million price tag prohibitive.
The deadline to sign tagged players to long-term deals is July 15th.
