49ers should consider signing recently released Colts DE

There is clearly a problem brewing in the San Francisco 49ers roster.

Depth on the defensive line has traditionally been a strength for the 49ers in the John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan era, but this year they have deviated from that norm, with the pass rushing group relatively thin and only three proven players on the edge.

The situation worsened in the 49ers' final preseason game when two of those proven players, Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos, suffered knee injuries and their short-term availability is still questionable.

The 49ers have always had the opportunity to add another defensive end, but the two injuries make it even more urgent to add a player or two on the side. One possible solution could come via free agency, where recently released defensive end Derek Rivers of the Indianapolis Colts is now under contract.

Rivers was selected No. 83 in the 2017 draft by the New England Patriots. A torn ACL slowed his rookie season and potentially ruined his entire career. He debuted in 2018 and recorded 1.0 sacks in six games. Then, in 2019, a preseason injury ended his year early. He returned in 2020 and played just eight games for New England before being released. The Los Angeles Rams signed him for the remainder of the 2020 season, and he spent 2021 with the Houston Texans.

An injury in training camp two seasons ago ended his 2022 season before it even began, and he spent most of the 2023 season on the Colts' practice squad. Rivers was with the Colts for just a few weeks of this year's training camp before being released.

Any DE the 49ers sign as a free agent at this point will have significant weaknesses. Rivers has only played in 24 NFL games due to his injury issues, totaling just 3.5 sacks.

San Francisco would be banking on a decent 6'4″ and 230-pound athlete who will finally develop his skills under defensive line coach Kris Kocurek. Rivers hasn't really gotten regular opportunities to play and the 49ers have been willing to sign players with potential. They could do so without applying for a waiver, as Rivers' veteran status allows him to bypass the waiver and become a free agent.

Maybe Rivers will never be an effective NFL player. However, the 49ers need more depth in pass rushing, and a former top-100 pick is the type of player they'll likely sign in hopes of unlocking the remaining untapped potential.