Dec 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (92) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images / Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
The San Francisco 49ers have quickly gotten thin along the interior defensive front. The days of rotating in studs and first-round picks have slowly gone away, and now the team is looking to Jordan Elliott, the 19th most important lineman on the 49ers.
Jordan Elliott was second behind Maliek Collins in snaps played last season, and with Collins gone, it is easy to project Elliott to lead the unit in snaps this year.
The 49ers probably played it smart by investing in the draft to revamp the room. They are going to shed a lot of salary, and in a year or so, there is a chance they will start both C.J. West and Alfred Collins next to each other to form a strong duo. In the short term, these are two rookies who slipped out of round one because they may not make significant impacts right away.
This is going to put a lot on the plate of Elliott, who had zero sacks last season and had five sacks over his five-season career. This is now his second year with the 49ers after an inspiring start with the Cleveland Browns and new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh shouldk know how to get the most out of Elliott.
However, hinging on Elliott to be a game changer on this front is a tough question. He is obviously starter caliber and will be one of the leaders in snaps on the defensive front. However, he cannot get higher than 19 because the team knows that he is only starting because they could not replace him quite yet.
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PARKER HURLEY
Parker Hurley is a Pittsburgh native and IUP alumni with a deep-rooted passion for football and a decade of experience analyzing the game. Since 2016, he had extensively covered the Chicago Bears, serving as the site manager for Bear Goggles On from 2017 to 2023. During that time, Parker published hundreds of articles per month and led content strategy across written, audio, and video formats. Parker has also produced podcasts, blogs, and YouTube content focused on the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL betting trends, and league-wide analysis. His work blends film breakdowns, statistical insight, and timely news reaction to deliver clear, actionable content for fans and bettors alike. Now, Parker contributes NFL coverage across multiple platforms, expanding his scope to include teams like the San Francisco 49ers and broader NFL narratives. Whether he’s analyzing rookie development or evaluating playoff contenders, Parker’s top priority is helping readers understand the game on a deeper level. He brings passion, clarity, and consistency to everything he writes, always aiming to educate, engage, and elevate the football conversation.
