In the initial round of free agency signings, the San Francisco 49ers showed great attention to their defensive front, bringing in three defensive lineman and re-signing Kevin Givens on Thursday for a one-year contract. NFL commentator Bucky Brooks took notice of the team’s signing of veteran defensive lineman Leonard Floyd to a two-year contract during the first week of free agency.
At the top of Brooks’ list of five surprise signings from around the league was Floyd’s move to The Bay. What Brooks thought of the 49ers’ newest edge rusher was as follows:
“The 49ers’ goal of going back to fundamentals in defence depends on the team racking up more pressure plays and sacks without blitzing. Since 2020, Floyd has effectively recorded 39.5 sacks, with a minimum of nine in every season. The ninth-year veteran, who lines up opposite Nick Bosa, should thrive on one-on-one opportunities in clear-cut passing situations, leading to more spectacular plays (sacks, tackles for loss, and turnovers) for a defence that consistently performs at a high level.”
Among Brooks’ list of underappreciated additions in free agency are safety quarterback Jacoby to the Philadelphia Eagles, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
The Chicago Bears selected Floyd with the ninth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. His eight-year career has included appearances in 121 games (120 starts), 370 tackles, 58.0 sacks, 63 tackles for loss, two interceptions, 14 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries with the Bears (2016–19), Los Angeles Rams (2020–22), and Buffalo Bills (2023). In nine postseason games, he has started as well. His stats include 24 tackles, 5.0 sacks, five tackles for loss, and one pass defensed.
On April 30, 2018, Turner (6-2, 214) signed as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Cardinals, marking his NFL debut. He has played in 80 games (three starts) during his six-year tenure with the Cardinals (2018–23), recording 28 tackles, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and 29 special team stops. He also played for Arizona in one postseason game. Turner made 16 appearances (one start) in 2023 for the Cardinals, tallying 10 tackles overall and four on special teams.
The 27-year-old Pasadena, Maryland native Turner first attended L.A. Pierce Community College in 2015 before moving on to the University of Washington in 2016–17. During his time there, he played in 38 games and recorded 100 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions.
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