Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer recently weighed in on the San Francisco 49ers' upcoming trade for Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Bryce Huff, a deal that, as of this post, has not yet been finalized but is expected to become official soon. Once completed (Update: The 49ers and Eagles officially announced the trade shortly after this article was published), Huff will become the latest in a long line of reclamation projects for 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, who has earned a reputation for reviving the careers of physically gifted pass rushers who have struggled elsewhere.
"Arden Key, Samson Ebukam, Kerry Hyder Jr., and Leonard Floyd are among the guys that the Niners scooped up at a cut rate, got short, solid runs from and extended their careers, and earning power, on the back end," Breer wrote. "Yetur Gross-Matos, a former Panthers second-round pick, joined that group last year, on a cheap, two-year deal. And now Huff is in, too, at the price of a mid-round pick and less than half of his $17 million number for 2025. If it works, then the Niners hold what amounts to a $17.1 million option for 2026."
A bad fit in Philadelphia
Huff's down year came during his lone season with the Eagles, where he totaled just 2.5 sacks following a breakout 10-sack campaign with the New York Jets in 2023. That standout season came under head coach Robert Saleh, who reunites with Huff as the 49ers' defensive coordinator after returning to the team earlier this offseason.
Huff missed part of last season with a torn wrist ligament but returned before the playoffs. Still, many analysts believe his drop in production had more to do with poor scheme fit under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio than injury-related issues.
"In the end, even with the ring he got along the way, it didn't work out, thanks in large part to the demands Vic Fangio's scheme puts on edge players to drop into coverage and set hard edges in the run game," Breer explained. "Always better moving upfield, and attacking, his fit was better with Saleh all along."
Brandon Graham backs Huff's potential
Former teammate Brandon Graham agrees. The now-retired Eagles pass rusher believes Huff's struggles were due to misuse, not a lack of talent.
"I've seen different guys flourish in different systems, and then you see them get in another system, it's different," Graham said. "And what they asked of him this year, it just wasn't a great marriage, I would say, because I know Huff can rush. I see him doing all that, but sometimes it's just different with the type of scheme and what people ask of you, and what they want you to be able to do."
Joining a revamped 49ers defensive front
Breer believes Huff could flourish in San Francisco's defense, especially under the guidance of Saleh and Kocurek.
"So now, he'll get Saleh, and Kocurek, and suddenly a Niners defensive line that went into the draft with Nick Bosa and not a ton more than hope has added three top-75 picks (Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, Nick Martin) and Huff," Breer wrote. "Which is more evidence that this San Francisco group won't roll over in 2025, like some might've thought they would when they started turning over the roster in March."