Report: 49ers agree to terms with Ferrell
DE was No. 4 overall pick by Raiders in 2019
Clelin Ferrell, a defensive end who went to the Raiders two selections after the 49ers selected Nick Bosa, is reportedly joining the 49ers on a one-year deal.
Ferrell, 25, was taken by the Raiders at No. 4 overall in 2019 out of Clemson after being the Ted Hendricks Award winner as the nation’s top defensive lineman. The pick was criticized in draft circles, with Ferrell regarded by most as a player that could have been selected much later in the first round.
The 49ers have already lost defensive ends Samson Ebukam and Charles Omenihu in free agency to the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively.
Ferrell, whose signing was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, never became the kind of quick-twitch pass rusher associated with a No. 4 pick but had his moments as a base end and was regarded as an excellent teammate. He played in 58 games with 30 starts in four seasons with the Raiders in Oakland and Las Vegas. The franchise did not extend Ferrell a fifth-year option.
Credited with 10 career sacks and 32 quarterback hits, Ferrell joins Javon Hargrave as new blood on the 49ers’ defensive line on a defense far superior to anything he played with in Oakland or Las Vegas.
Ferrell will get the opportunity to expand his game under the tutelage of highly-regarded Kris Kocurek and has the ability to slide inside and play tackle as well as be a base end.
Free agency news
• The 49ers officially announced the return of free safety Tashaun Gipson to a one-year contract.
• Linebacker/special teams player Demetrius FlaniganFowles was not extended a tender as a restricted free agent according to The Athletic, making him an unrestricted free agent.