How Clelin Ferrell and Keion White will Change the 49ers’ Defense

We knew the 49ers needed defensive linemen, but we didn’t necessarily know they were in the market for interior rushers. But that’s exactly the kind of players they just brought in. Keon White, Cleon Ferrell, technically defensive ends, but when it’s time to rush the quarterback on third down, they’re going to play defensive tackle. And they’re actually not bad as defensive tackle pass rushers. I mean, Cle Ferrell was on the Niners in 2023 when they went to the Super Bowl. He started all 17 regular season games. got replaced in the playoffs by Chase Young, which was a mistake, but in the regular season, he had 13 quarterback hits. Now he’s about 27 28 years old. Keon White younger. He was a second round pick of the Patriots in 2023. In 2024, he had a breakout season, five sacks, 16 quarterback hits. Doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s a significant number when you consider that the current leader on the 49ers in quarterback hits is Bryce Huff with six, and he’s out with a hamstring injury. He’ll be coming back in a couple of weeks. Maybe that’s why the Niners felt they didn’t absolutely need an edge rusher. They have Bryce Huff and edge rushers are expensive. They come in a premium. Everyone wants one. Clean Ferrell, Keon White. I mean, they were on the chopping block with their own teams. They kind of got given away. But given how anemic the Niners interior rush is in addition to their edge rush, maybe these guys actually improve the defense. And why is the interior rush so anemic? Well, Gutier Gross Moss also injured. He’s making a lot of money. He was supposed to be their number one interior pass rusher. He hasn’t been healthy healthy since the 49ers signed him in 2024. Who knows if he ever comes back. But the big thing is Mikel Williams. He’s the first round pick and he’s been a great run defender so far. But if he were really carrying his weight as a pass rusher the way you would expect the 11th pick in the draft to perform, they wouldn’t need Keon White or Cleveland Farrell. Maybe one of them, but not both. So, this makes me wonder when it’s really time to rush the quarterback on third and eight this weekend in New Jersey against the Giants, is Michael Williams going to be on the field or is he going to split time with Keon White and Cleveland Far? Because if we’re being honest, through the first half of the season, the Niners’s best interior rusher who’s healthy right now hasn’t been Mike Williams. I just gave it away. It’s been Alfred Collins. Alfred Collins has been steadily improving. He gets off blocks. He has four quarterback hits, which is double what Mike Williams has. So, it’s going to be interesting to see how the Niners use Cleveland Fair and Keon White. But if I were Mike Williams, I’d be a little nervous. [Music]

Grant Cohn discusses how Clelin Ferrell and Keion White will change the San Francisco 49ers’ defense.

30 comments

  8. Mykel is only 21 and easily the best run stopper we have and get dub team on 85 percent of the time im good with his performance the other need to step up if hes drawing dub teams every play

  10. Defense can only do so much without great pass protection, using Kittle as a blocker is mind blowing he needs to go run routes he is awesome if they start throwing to him more then to use him wrong as a blocker when you can go trade for help on pass protection no wonder this team of wide wrs want out they can't feel well out there when Qb is not able to get it them when pancakes happens. Its the irrirating feeling to watch. 49ers wouldnt need to keep getting defense players if the offense is moving the ball more times than not. Defense plays longer then the offense

  12. Good moves. But the season still young. Still in it to win it. They need to few more moves. Maybe they keep winning . At least they will be able to build for now and the future. If it don't hit this year. Your ahead of the game. Go get the jets boys or giants de.

  13. Let's just add all of the Patriot players from the last year of the Belicheck era. The players that got him fired. Mac, Bourne now White. Who's next?

  22. They won’t do squat. The Niners are going nowhere but to the lofty heights of perhaps a 9-8 record. If they manage to win a few more than that it won’t make much difference. Shanahan has to go after this season, along with the GM. 😂

  23. We use a first and a second round pick on interior defensive lineman and it's the end of October and they're still trying to address the position. How do these people still have jobs?

  25. Clein ferrel did not get replaced by chase young. He had a bad knee injury in the final garbage game in week 18 vs the rams. He was good that year when kyle thought it was good for him to start a 3rd stringer game.

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