Pattersonca65 wrote:CrimsonCrew wrote:The more I think about the Huff trade, the more I like it. Sure, there's always the chance that he struggles, but if so, the price won't be particularly high in terms of draft capital (5th rounder) or salary cap. And I think there are a lot of reasons to think that he could be very close to his 2023 self.
Huff only has the one year of sack productivity, but his pass-rush win rate has been really good for three years, including last year. That is particularly true out of the wide-nine. As I posted previously, given his limited size, I think there's a strong argument that he needs the additional runway to be at his most effective as a rusher. He'll get that with the Niners. We also won't have to play him as a starter because his contract is just fine for that of a one-dimensional rusher. And his upside is markedly higher than anyone else who was available at this point.
Additionally, I really think we're strengthening two positions here, in a way. The lack of a second perimeter pass rusher - or even a second pass rusher anywhere on the DL - was a huge concern prior to this move. It wasn't at all clear who would be the second DE in our NASCAR package, but presumably it would have been one of Williams, Gross-Matos, Beal, or Sam O., none of whom have demonstrated success in that area to date. Additionally, we didn't really have obvious pass rush from the interior, where none of our DTs have ever had even four sacks in a season (Kevin Givens is the high man with 3.5 last year, unless we count CJ West getting 5 while playing for Kent State). Now, we can line up three or even four of our DEs in the NASCAR package. Bosa and Huff can both bring it from the outside, and Williams and Gross-Matos may both be better - at least for now in Williams' case - rushing from the inside.
This reminds me a bit of all the times Bill Belichick let a well-regarded player who he put in a good situation walk, the player would bust on another team, the Pats would re-sign the player at a discount, and they would return to the role where they played well and continue to play well.
That is why I liked the trade. Not much of a risk if he fails compared to the potential upside. Interesting comment from Kocurek regarding Huff who believes a wrist injury Huff received last season messed up his play.
The wrist injury is definitely part of it. He got hurt, missed a few games, and struggled to regain his role after that. Josh Sweat had one spot locked up, and Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt started coming on by the end of the year. Huff can't really play the run at all, and they could only have so many undersized edge rushers active.
