Why the 49ers signed an edge rusher 2 weeks ahead of the draft
Niners Nation • • sports
Key Points:
- The San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran edge rusher Cam Sample to a one-year deal, adding depth ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft where they plan to add more talent at the position.
- Sample, a 2021 fourth-round pick by the Bengals, has seven career sacks and experience playing both edge and interior rusher roles, providing versatility for the 49ers' defensive front.
- Despite missing the entire 2024 season due to a torn Achilles, Sample has shown durability by playing at least 14 games in four active seasons, contrasting with the injury-prone Yetur Gross-Matos, whom the 49ers did not re-sign.
- Sample's best production comes from playing on the edge, where he recorded most of his pressures and sacks, but his experience inside adds valuable flexibility for San Francisco's defensive rotations.
- The signing is a low-risk move to bolster veteran depth and support younger defensive linemen, allowing the 49ers to manage passing downs more effectively with a player who fits their desired body type and role.
