Fans may have questioned the San Francisco 49ers' decision to skip on selecting a pass rusher in the draft, but one player appreciates the faith the team has placed in him.
Following the completion of the draft, head coach Kyle Shanahan explained that drafting a pure pass rusher would just take a job away from a player already on the roster.
"You've got to be pretty good to beat out [Cassius Marsh]," he said. "You've got to be pretty good to beat out [Arik Armstead]. You don't just get guys. If you get them, someone else has got to get cut, and we've got a pretty good group."
Cassius Marsh read Shanahan's words and responded via Instagram to a post by Joe Fann of 49ers.com.
"This right here gave me chills and almost brought tears to my eyes," wrote Marsh. "To go from never feeling appreciated and having to prove myself every single day. To knowing my Coaching staff and GM have my back and trust my work ethic and talent is an indescribable feeling. I am so grateful but never satisfied! I will never lose this chip on my shoulder and will continue to grind every single day. Because in the league, any day could be your last!"
The 49ers re-signed Marsh to a two-year deal on February 7. They initially claimed him off of waivers from the New England Patriots on November 22, 2017.
Marsh appeared in each of San Francisco's final six games of the season. During that time, he registered 11 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. In four NFL seasons, Marsh has compiled 85 combined tackles, six sacks, and four forced fumbles.
H/T to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area for the find.