49ers re-sign DE Cassius Marsh to two-year deal

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Cassius Marsh (54) against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The 49ers just made their first move of the offseason.

They re-signed defensive end Cassius Marsh to a two-year deal. Here’s a statement from general manager John Lynch:

“Since joining the team late last season, Cassius has impressed us with his unique skill set and the tremendous energy and passion he brings to all phases of the game. Cassius is a great example of our desire to reward our own players with contract extensions as we continue to build out our roster. We’re excited to have him as a 49er moving forward.”

The 49ers originally claimed Marsh off waivers during November of last season. He played in six games and recorded two sacks.

Marsh, 25, was a fourth-round pick in 2014. He has recorded six sacks during his career. I doubt the 49ers plan to use him in any of their defensive packages next season. He’s a quality backup. The Niners still need to add a starting defensive end to play opposite Elvis Dumervil in the Nickel defense.

This article has 108 Comments

  1. Good signing. Marsh was getting pressure on the QB in his few games.

    Speaking of getting pressure on the QB, has anyone had a chance to check out Joe Ostman from Central Michigan?
    He doesn’t seem to be on anyone’s radar which is a surprise to me.
    Ostman had a very good practice during senior bowl week and led the nation in sacks.

    1. AES:
      * Joe Ostman DE Central Michigan didn’t play in the Senior bowl, he played in the E / W Shrine game. He was not invited to the 2018 Combine, hurting his chances of getting more recognition. from NFL teams.
      * 2018 NFL Draft watch: Top performers at East-West Shrine Game and NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
      Joe Ostman, DE, Central Michigan — Ostman plays with a high motor any coach would love to have. After leading the nation with 14 sacks as a senior, to go with 19 1/2 tackles for loss, Ostman’s relentless pursuit led to another sack early in the East-West Game. The 6-3, 259-pound pass rusher has a very good burst off the edge and should hear his name called in April’s NFL Draft. (Day 3 sleeper)>
      * Joe Ostman | Central Michigan, DE : 2018 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile.
      http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=127874&draftyear=2018&genpos=de

      1. AES:
        * Best NFL Draft Prospects Not at the 2018 Senior Bowl:
        * DE Joe Ostman, Central Michigan. NFL teams will find a place for a player who displays the ability to rush the passer. No one was better at the FBS level this past season than Central Michigan’s Joe Ostman.
        Ostman’s 14 sacks tied for the FBS lead, and his 20.5 tackles for loss ranked seventh overall. Normally, that level of production would place Ostman among the top prospects. However, he lacks the length most teams prefer from the position. The Central Michigan defender measured 6’2″ and weighed 248 pounds at the Shrine Game. “Yeah, that’s something that people have always kind of pointed out about me,” Ostman said during an interview with Footballgameplan.com. “I just use it as a chip on my shoulder … and I use it to my advantage with leverage and quickness.”
        * While undersized for a defensive end, the previous numbers aren’t insurmountable. His 31-inch arms are a problem, though. Scouts become concerned when an edge defender has shorter levers which can cause difficulties disengaging from bigger blockers. Even so, Ostman’s production and consistent presence can’t be overlooked. According to Pro Football Focus, the prospect ranked 11th overall in pass-rush productivity among 4-3 defensive ends and eighth overall with 27 run stops.
        The first-team All-MAC performer may not be the most physically gifted prospect, but his motor runs hot at all times. Ostman has a chance to be a productive outside linebacker with the versatility to rush the passer in sub-packages.
        http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2754373-best-nfl-draft-prospects-not-at-the-2018-senior-bowl

        1. GEEP,
          I remember Chris Borland who retired because of concussion issues. This kid did not have the physical measurables but he was a “baller.”
          His measurables were almost identical to Ostman.
          Chris Borland: height 5′ 11. weight 248. 40 yrd. 4.76. Arm length 29.8″
          Joe Ostman: height 6′ 2″ weight 248 40 yrd. 4.8 Arm length 31.2″

          If Borland had not suffered concussions he would be our starter to this day.
          What made CB good were his quick instincts that allowed him to make up for his lack of speed. He also had a relentless motor.
          These are the same qualities that Joe Ostman has displayed in college and perhaps can do the same in the pros. Like Borland, this kid can “ball” and has a fierce motor that goes from whistle to whistle.
          He might very be the best kept secret in the draft.

          1. Different position AES. Borland stood out as an ILB because of his instincts. Edge rushing isn’t about instincts as much as it is explosive qualities, combined with technique, and preferably some length. Even Dumervil has longer arms, and he’s 5’11”. You can get away with it in college, but it’s hard to get away with 31″ arms as an NFL Edge Rusher DE/OLB. My guess is he goes undrafted, in which case I might take a flier on him as a UDFA.

            1. Dumervil is an exception to the rule because he has, or had, incredible burst and first step, which is why he succeeded in the NFL. I don’t see Ostman as being in Dumervil’s league when it comes to the burst and first step. Ostman has a nifty side step, but that’s not enough to overcome his marginal athleticism, and lack of size/length, IMO.

              1. The only place you could play Ostman on Saleh’s defense is at the SAM Linebacker spot and honestly, I think Pita Taumoepenu has more potential, and he can’t even break into the active roster, currently behind Harold and Watson. And Ostman didn’t play Linebacker at CMU, so you would be asking him to learn an entirely new position.

              2. 49reasons:
                I would have to agree with you on both Borland and Ostman. Ostman can ball, but I don’t
                see the 9ers drafting him. An NFL team may pick him up as a F/A?

            2. 49reasons,
              I agree that Borland’ and Ostman’ positions are different. My comparisons had more to do with the NFL’ philosophy of being judged by physical measurements over the actual ability to play the game.

              Not sure if you have had a chance to see Ostman play, but as I mentioned earlier he is a straight up baller. He has a variety of techniques that allow him to get to the QB quickly. His spin move is his bread and butter, but he can change his pass rush on a fly.
              During the Shrine East/West practices he repeatedly beat whoever they put over him and was in the backfield on almost every snap.
              I’m not pushing for JO to be a high draft pick, but if he is there in the 3-4th rd he could prove to be a pleasant for some team.

              1. I hear you AES, it’s not always about the measurables, but I’ve studied the kid and I don’t see where he plays on this team? Convert him to SAM maybe? Because the 49ers need a dominant pass rushing LEO or RDE, and I don’t see this kid being an impact player on the edge. He might make an NFL roster, but the 49ers need to find a prototypical pass rushing specialist, and even though Ostman had a great college career as an edge rusher, there is a reason he didn’t get invited to the combine.

                Well, that’s my take on Ostman, but maybe you see something I don’t. I know you are a smart guy, so I’ll say OK, maybe as a late round pick.

              2. I still think the All-American out of BC – Harold Landry makes a lot of sense, in part because I think there is a chance that he could very well fall to the 49ers in round 2 unless he blows up the combine. Talk about an explosive burst off the edge. He’s built like an edge rusher, and was at times dominant with his ability to bend around the edge and get after QB’s, and even good setting the edge in run defense, though he might be best as a 3-4 OLB.

      2. GEEP,
        Thanks for the correction. I agree that Ostman likely gets picked on day 3. He could be a steal for the team that drafts him.

        1. NFL scouts view Ostman as a tweener who will probably have to make an NFL living on Special Teams. Those guys often go undrafted. 6’2, 248 lbs, 31″ arms ….. I’d pass, and I’m not one to overvalue measurables. For comparison though, Cassius Marsh, whom the 49ers just re-signed to fill out the BACK END of their roster as an Edge Rusher/Special Teams, is 6’4″, 255 lbs, with 32.75″ arms, and is every bit as quick and explosive, and has just as high of a motor as Ostman. In fact, Cassius was a top performer at the combine in both the 20 YD Shuttle & 3 Cone Drill.

          And Marsh is a hungry dude. Another excellent signing!

          1. I like the Marsh signing. He is as you described.
            But there’s also a reason why he’s been on 3 different teams now in his short career.

            We’ll just have to wait and see what scouts think of Ostman in the next few months.
            If he isn’t drafted he may have a better chance of being signed as a UDFA.
            Lynch and Shanahan have shown that they can find talent in the FA market.

        2. AES:
          Check out Kentavius Street, North Carolina State DE (the other N. Carolina DE not named Chubb), listed in the “Best NFL prospects not at the 2018 Senior bowl” that I posted. Street is 6’2″ and a sculpted 285, w/ 33.5-inch arms, and a great athlete, too. According to SI.com’s Bruce Feldman, the defensive lineman posted a 4.58-second 40-yard dash, 40-inch vertical jump, 9’11” broad jump, cleaned 400 pounds and benched 475 pounds prior to his senior campaign. The hybrid lineman managed 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries in 2017 despite playing on a loaded defensive front led by future first-round pick Bradley Chubb and defensive tackles B.J. Hill and Justin Jones, who are both participating in Senior Bowl festivities. Street also dominated during Shrine Game practices. A couple of NFL scouts said “Street is killing these guys.”
          The North Carolina State product parlayed a strong practice week into an even better game performance when he showed the ability to consistently pressure the quarterback after beating offensive tackles and guards off the snap. The lineman has a quick first step, and he can also convert speed to power.
          Street’s athleticism will allow him to start his professional career as a base end before sliding inside during sub-packages to rush the quarterback. His collegiate teammates may draw more attention during the draft process, but Street is more than just a good-looking athlete. Street will be a day 3 prospect the 9ers should take a good look at.

          1. AES:
            One more comment on Street:
            *College football analyst, Bruce Feldman, was told by NC State strength coach Dantonio Burnette that Street was even more explosive than Aaron Donald, whom he worked with when both were at Pitt.
            As a rule, I usually don’t put much stock in “he said” comments, but Feldman worked with both.
            Street has been invited to the NFL 2018 combine

          2. GEEP,
            Thanks, I’ll check him out.
            One of the things I look at in college players is productivity and consistency. That is why I turned my attention to Ostman, but if there is a hidden gem on day 3 of the draft (ala Adrian Colvert) hopefully the 49ers can find him.

  2. I’d sign him just for the cool name and all those tattoos.

    In all seriousness, the Niners need to bring in via FA and draft 3-4 DE, OLBs to compete and push the scrubs and old heads off the team. Dumerville was a nice pick up and Harold was holding his own against the run but we need impact players on the outside to alleviate these 3 interior rushers we drafted.

    1. I think Harold will still be on the team this year, as his rookie contract is still in play. He will be off the team in 2019 though.

    1. #80
      * What is your opinion of N.D. WR St. Brown, Equanimeous?
      * A drop in production has him sliding to a late day two or day three prospect, would you take him and if so, where?

      1. I like St. Brown. I’d take him in the 3rd. Good chance he goes in the 2nd. Kyle, a former WR himself, knows exactly what he wants from the position, so I’d be OK if we took him in the 2nd round.

        In other WR news, Kelvin Benjamin might get cut. KS took a look at him coming out of FSU. Could be a good signing if Kelvin gets his $hit straight.

    2. Isn’t Lynch an UFA? He just wont be resigned. I guess the criticism from the trainer at USF, Hans Straub, about Lynch was prescient. The guy has all the talent in world but couldn’t stay in shape. Guess you can’t really question his integrity or character, but you certainly can question Lynch’s work ethic.

        1. And was considered, talent wise, a future Round 1 guy after his freshman year at Notre Dame where he lit it up.

    3. Yup, seems like Lynch’s raw talent was not strong enough to overcome his poor work ethic.
      No way he plays here next year.

  3. As if the season wasn’t filled with enough intrigue, imagine if the Seahawks signed, Hyde, Reid and Lynch. Seattle Seaniners.

  4. If we let hyde walk thats were he will go it’s a no brainer.then we will have to deal with him 2/3 times a year.i know a lot of folks on here don’t care for him but I think he’s a very good back.

    1. I think we would regret it a bit……

      In 4 years he has only fumbled 9 times and have lost 5 of them….

    2. East, yup I am one of those folks who wasn’t fond of Hyde’s skill set, however after this past year I grew to like his game. I am now in favor of only resigning him to a team friendly contract. Anything more then that let him walk.

    3. I’m a Carlos Hyde fan. IMO he was running behind an o-line that was bottom 5 in the NFL. You can argue that he doesn’t fit Shanahan’s scheme but you have to at least factor in that he didn’t get much help over the past few years. If the 49ers don’t resign Hyde, it won’t be because he is not a good RB. It will be because he is not a good fit for what Shanahan wants in a RB.

  5. Mike Garafolo‏Verified account
    @MikeGarafolo
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    The 49ers and QB Jimmy Garoppolo have agreed to a five-year, $137.5 million contract, source says. The biggest deal in NFL history on a average-per-year basis.

    1. Razor, thanks for the link. I’m happy.

      I wonder what Garoppolo’s salary would have been had the 49ers/Pats agreed to a sign-n-trade. Less than the $137.5m I imagine. But I’m still really happy 49ers just signed him. The 49ers can now plan combine, FA, trades, draft with a quarterback position covered.

  6. Jimmy got paid. He held all the cards so it isn’t surprising. Wonder if he is worth it? Now a team must be built around him. Hopefully with a strong defensive emphasis.

  7. So am I and probably every other 9er fan!

    Awesome John! Now we can go and sign all the FAs that we want.

  8. Jimmy’s been paid. Shows what the naysayer Grant knows (which is close to nothing).

  9. I told you Grant!! Trade him Lol.

    GQ Jimmy!!!! 5 years baby!!!! Let’s f’n go!!!!
    ALL ARROWS UP!!!!!!
    All free agents ?

    1. Crab15 – Yes! free agents will be eyeballing the 49ers for sure. Lynch can proceed with trades, free agency and the draft with more clarity.

      1. B2W –
        Yes sir! ?…. And I will be slamming 5 beers for handsome Jimmy tonight, in honor of his 5 year deal.

    2. Don’t get too excited. This is obviously a false flag operation from the 49ers front office to put pressure on Don Yee to sign now before the 49ers have a chance to put the franchise tag on Garoppolo. I’m certain that’s what is happening here. Grant told me so.

  10. Jimmy Grapes first steps as a lifer!
    The quest for six is in full effect!
    This deserves a big Ric Flare WOOOOOOO!!!

  11. I like the fact that Lych didn’t d!ck around and drag this out. There is a lot to said for having certainty heading into the combine, FA and the Draft. Now we can turn our attention to fixing oline for JG and get him a #1 X receiver – also CB , edge and hyde replacement …

    1. Gotta give some credit to Jimmy G too.
      It’s obvious he’s not a jerk who was thinking of himself first, he could have dragged it out and waited for Rodgers extension and what cousins will be getting.
      It’s obvious he wants to be here. Class act and awesome team guy.

          1. who says “beat it”…….lol…lmao …hahaha……..bet you were in your Leatherette red jacket……..lol……you are loser….just like the NE Pats……..

  12. Pretty excited to have #10 for a long time.
    Well done John Lynch and the rest of the 49ers organization for getting a franchise QB here.

    Go Niners!

    1. Prime –
      Yes sir…we have our QB!!
      5 years left on Shanny & Lynch contracts and 5 years for Jimmy G… Perfect!

  13. My estimate of a contract worth $28M was close.
    Does anyone know the signing bonus amount? I hope it is around $40M chargeable to this year with such a large amount of cap space. This would give the Niners more cap space in the next few years.
    What is the guaranteed number?

  14. And once again, Grant is asleep at the gate…How I love the sound of crickets from his corner.

    1. Because he’s an opinion guy, he’s not a legit beat reporter or reporter period. When was the last time he broke a story? When was his last interview? He’s basically a glorified blogger, heck I’ve seen better work done by guys on the various SB Nation sites…guys who did that stuff as a passion project and not an actual career.

    1. It looks like there is a difference between total guarantees and fully guaranteed money:

      “That is total guarantees, so we don’t know yet how that is broken up between fully guaranteed money and injury guaranteed money. The record for fully guaranteed money is Matthew Stafford’s $60,500,000. Derek Carr is next on the quarterback list at $40 million. It’s interesting to not that Stafford had $92 million in total guarantees, while Carr had $70 million in total guaranteed money. With those numbers in mind, my is Garoppolo’s fully guaranteed money will fall somewhere in the $45 million to $50 million range.”

      https://www.ninersnation.com/2018/2/8/16992102/jimmy-garoppolo-contract-guaranteed-money-news

      1. I keep hearing $74m total guarantees. $90m of the total contract front loaded the first three years.

        Will be interesting to see how much the $74m is “fully” guaranteed.

      2. That makes sense when you consider what he’d get paid on the tag over the next 3 years.

        This was a really simple deal to predict in my opinion.

        1. I agree. Seems like the tag set the guaranteed pay market at least as much as Smith or potentially Cousins contacts.

        2. Agreed. All both sides had to do was come together on a close approximation of the tag figures and then using the tag became quite unnecessary. Not rocket science unless your compulsively over-thinking it.

  15. Jimmy got paid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Where the phuck is the Garoppolo thread?

    I guess the “leak” was true after all. No tag and obviously no lowballing. Hahahaha!

      1. He can’t. That makes the signing even better. Grant is racking his brain trying to come up with something, anything, He’s consulting Lowell, nothing.
        :-)

  16. Grant is probably trying to disengage from his bong and collect his fractious thoughts into some kind of semi-intelligible response to this Stupendous News. Manna from 49er Heaven! He may even be consulting Seb for some respun ideas. But once a curmudgeon always a curmudgeon so expect something nit-picky before long, lol . . .

  17. Garapallooza!!
    “Jimmy now has the money.”
    “Now give Jimmy the ball — and get out of the way to the Lombardi…”

  18. http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/49ers-actually-close-signing-jimmy-garoppolo-long-term/

    “If I’m right, I highly doubt Garoppolo and Yee will cave into that pressure. They would be insane not to want the tag before signing a long-term extension. The tag is the baseline for a long-term deal. Doing the deal without getting the tag first only would take money off the table for Garoppolo and Yee.”

    “I doubt a deal will happen any time soon.”

    Doh!

    #80 says:
    February 4, 2018 at 2:27 pm
    “Geez Grant. Garoppolo will get 25 to 30 million with or without the tag. At this point, getting tagged would be less money for Jimmy and no signing bonus.”

    Yup.

  19. A deal that works for both parties involved. What a breath of fresh air.

    The 49ers are flush with cash now, and it’s always the case, $37.5 M per year, with $74 M in guarantees will look like a bargain in 2019, as the cap rises, and more top flight QB’s are looking for new deals. Good for the 49ers!

    Jimmy gets to be, for the moment, the highest paid player in the league. It’s a proud moment for him and a vote of confidence from the 49ers FO. Good for Jimmy!

    I can’t wait to see how much Cousins gets now, as I suspect his contract will likely be close to this. It’s a function of the rising salary cap. Ryan, Rodgers, & Brees will cash in big time next year.

    Happy days are back for Niner fans. The 49ers, once again, seem to have a BONAFIDE franchise QB. It’s a lot of money, but years of penny pinching on behalf of the 49ers FO make it a good time to splurge on a guy who looks every bit like the kind of QB who can bring more Lombardi Trophies back to the Bay! You gotta have a top flight QB in the age of the QB driven league, which the NFL has become. And I can’t think of a better face for the franchise than this kid, right now! GO NINERS!

  20. I previously mentioned both parties could proceed with negotiations as if the franchise tag was already in place. I hope that’s the case, and the contract will be signed soon.

  21. Bill Pollian just said that for him the sample size on JG was sufficient for this long term deal. I thought I’d get that out there before it comes up in the inevitable critiques offered.
    The numbers are driven by the Cap’s effect on the market. Somebody would pay him that if not SF.

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