Despite all the injuries, the San Francisco 49ers actually are a very well-balanced team. They have very few issues—but they do have a couple.
This group of misfits has run up a 10-4 record and now has a great chance at the postseason. But there are a couple of areas that could thwart a deep playoff run. One is that they struggle to run the ball, posting a 3.5 yards per carry mark that is second-last in the NFL.
But the biggest and most important is their complete and utter inability to rush the passer. They currently have just 16 sacks on the season. That’s the worst mark in football and 38 percent lower than the next-worst team. They’re on pace to become just the 22nd team to record 20 or fewer sacks in a 16+ game season. Their 10 games with 1 or fewer sacks is tied for the league lead.
Injuries are part of the reason for this, obviously. Their top edge rusher, Nick Bosa, is out. His backup, Yetur Gross-Matos, has joined him on injured reserve.
Bryce Huff and Clelin Ferrell are the two names of note remaining. And while they are the team’s co-sack leaders, they have just 4.0 sacks apiece. Clearly, they need help. And the Miami Dolphins may have just offered a fin.
Matthew Judon could make a massive impact for the 49ers
Miami was eliminated from playoff contention after their loss in Week 15 to drop to 6-8. With that, they started making some moves. They didn’t just bench QB Tua Tagovailoa, but they also mutually agreed to part ways with veteran edge rusher Matthew Judon.
He will now hit waivers, and the 33-year-old should not be short on suitors. The Steelers are attempting to make a playoff run without T.J. Watt, so they could come calling.
But the 49ers seem like the team in most desperate need of help. And they would be able to get the 10-year veteran for dirt cheap as well.
Judon has played about 40 percent of the Dolphins’ defensive snaps this year without a sack. He also has just seven pressures. He didn’t look himself in 2024 either, though he was arguably the best edge rusher in the league in the first month of the 2023 season before a torn bicep ended his season.
Judon is clearly no longer in his prime, but considering what the 49ers have to offer, he would come in and immediately be the most experienced edge rusher in the group. The four-time Pro Bowler likely has a few big moments left in him.
And if the 49ers are serious about a Super Bowl run this year, they will need to get the pass rush in order: four of the last five Super Bowl champs were top five in sacks the year they won it all.
San Francisco won’t finish top five, but they should still load their pass rush up with more weapons heading into January. No matter how old they are.