49ers sign OLB Jeremiah Attaochu to one-year deal

Posted By on March 15, 2018

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws a pass as San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

The 49ers signed outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu to a one-year deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The deal is worth up to $5.125 million, as Rapoport noted in his tweet. Attaochu current has the ninth-largest cap hit on the 49ers.

Attaochu, 25, is a former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers. In four seasons with the Chargers, Attaochu recorded only 10 sacks, and missed 26 games due to injuries, including 20 games the past two seasons.

This signing indicates the 49ers probably don’t plan to draft an edge rusher in the first round of the upcoming draft. They have bigger needs at guard and cornerback.

The team’s primary edge rushers on third downs will be Attaochu and Cassius Marsh.

This article has 78 Comments

  1. Not necessarily. Just like Barnes and Zuttah, this guy will have to impress in training camp.
    The 49ers can certainly and most definitely should draft an Edge rusher in rounds 1-4.

  2. I don’t think this signing changes anything in terms of draft plans at edge. He is a flyer.

    However, the trade of Kilgore makes OG all the more a need. Unless they add a decent FA OG then I think that need may trump edge.

    Regardless, I expect OG and edge to be taken high by the 49ers.

    1. Scoot… Don’t forget about Garnett. I don’t think og is a 1st round priority but 2-4 yes. If I were them I would take the most dominant player at 9.

      1. Unless Nelson miraculously falls to 9, I see us going edge or CB. I see a lot of Mocks have us connected to the bill as a trading partner. If that happens I could see them still getting a edge player (Landry/Davenport) and then trading up to take a OG either late in 1st or early 2nd, depending what we get from the trade.

        Could a trade with Buffalo net us both their 1st rounders???

        1. No way both first rounders from the Bills. They won’t trade with us. They are sitting at 12 and jumping to 9 allows them to jump ahead of the Raiders and Miami – that doesn’t do much for them. I think the Niners are looking at Trumaine Edmonds – guy is a beast. They have Sherman and Witherspoon at CB. The biggest need is guard – even if Garnett is good to go, they still need another guy. If Nelson is gone, there are no other guards worth drafting that high and they might be able to trade up into the early 2nd round and get an interior lineman.

      2. I am not forgetting about Garnett. You just simply can’t count on him being a quality starting OG. He’s played 1 season (poorly) and is best suited in a power scheme.

        1. Big Scootie’s got it right. 49ers must proceed as if Garnett is not the answer.

          1. Garnett’s “body transformation” is trade-bait disinfo…
            makes him more marketable for a trade…
            Garnett is not the answer for a starting G in Shanny-world…

    1. TREMAINE EDMONDS is A 6′-3″ 220 4.47-40, FREAK of NATURE BEAST LINEBACKER With RANGE, SKILLZ & RIDICULOUS SPEED For SOMEONE HIS SIZE!!! BUILDING a DEFENSE Around This KIND of TALENT Would BE The BEGINNING of a FIERCE NEW 2ND LEVEL LINEBACKER FRONT!!!

  5. Attaochu in, Harold out. Other than that, I see no change in draft plans. Either OL then Edge or Edge then OL. They’ve got two backup pass rushers and two backup guards….

    3. I don’t see this signing as a negative for Harold. Harold occupies the SAM role, while Jeremiah will play from the LEO position.

      They’ll both be on the field at the same time.
      And I thought Harold played farely well as a SAM linebacker.

      I’m hoping Pita shows enough improvement to make the active 46–it’s a long shot but a man can dream

  6. Are we going to get a column where Grant says the 49ers should have cut or traded Aaron Lynch like he suggested?

    1. Despite the protests of some around here, I was right about Lynch, Kilgore and Hyde.

      1. I said we would keep Hyde and then probably let him walk this year, so I was right. I haven’t seen any Kilgore fans on here. Lynch got his shot with the new regime and it didn’t work out.

        Also, I said the 49ers wouldn’t go into this season with Breida as their featured HB.

      4. Lynch and Hyde are no surprise and as far as Kilgore we are better with him gone. Anyone could have got two out of the three. And we are just fans and not a expert like you.

        1. Most 49ers fans disagreed with my assessments of Lynch, Hyde and Kilgore last season.

        1. Let him have this one #80. As much as the board likes to point out the times he’s wrong, Grant gets a few right too.

          1. Fair enough. I certainly mention my successes.
            :-)

            Still disagree that we should have moved Hyde last year, so I don’t consider his position on Hyde to be correct.

            As for Kilgore being bad, good call Grant. I think Laken is bad. Someone give me a cookie for stating the obvious.

  7. Grant, ah man, what kind of a signing is this! Just doesn’t make much sense. Even with only $2.5mm guaranteed, paying so much for someone so frail is just sinking good money into bad money. Lynch and Shanahan must see something in him. This is why I was upset at losing Ahmad Brooks. That man never got injured and always seemed to have more intensity and energy in the 4th quarter. This young man is going to need a locker large enough to store a foldup wheelchair.

    1. Say what? Elvis Dumervil is the guy who will be looking for a wheel chair sooner than this kid. I have all the respect in the world for Elvis, but it makes sense to go younger, IMO. Elvis is starting to slip, and for some guys, the wheels start to fall off quickly at his age. Attaochu is a former second-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers. After an up-and-down rookie season in 2014, he had a solid season in 2015 with 55 combined tackles and 6 sacks. A foot injury cost him most of 2016 and he spent 2017 as either injured, a healthy scratch or playing very little. Could be poised to break out playing wide edge.

        1. Given the signings they have made, one thing we can glean is the 49ers place a very high value on character. Pouncey has a bit of a rep for not necessarily having a high character. Highly doubt they have any interest.

        3. Yes. He’s versatile, which is one of the qualities that make him special. Same with Pugh. Richburg is not versatile. But, he’s a solid center.

        4. Too funny! Grant’s already got this guy etched in at edge for us. No camp competition necessary. LOL! Sliding down to the end of the Chargers depth chart after copious injuries doesn’t bode well. Sorry, but it’s more likely he’ll be working a regular job like the rest of us come August.

  9. I think it’s more likely the signing of Attaochu continues the strategy of shoring up as many holes as possible pre-draft, allowing for early round flexibility. The Niners can now go OG, or BPA (or maybe that’s the same guy) at #9, or wherever they trade back to.

    Nice move. I think there’s a good chance Attaochu can certainly play more downs than an aging Dumervil, at least match an aging Dumervil’s production per-snap, and even contribute on ST. I likey this signing! It’s my second A- grade.

    – Sherman: A-
    We may have taken him to the cleaners, and got a hungry, former all-pro out for vengence! Wowza!

    – Richburg: B+
    Important position in Shanny’s offense, and now we now have clarity and Kilgore is off the books.

    – McKinnon: INC
    I guess it depends on touches-per-game. Big contract to carry.

    – Attaochu: A
    An important signing. Means they don’t have to go Edge in round one, though they could still if they love the value.

    OG and ILB are the final 2 glaring holes to fix pre-draft if possible, with OG being #1. Looking good.

    GO NINERS!

  10. Has the earmarks of a prove-it deal. I’m surprised he gets 2.5 fully guaranteed.

    I still think if Chubb falls to within reasonable trade up distance Lynch might try to move up.

    1. 5 spots higher in Round 7, Cap space and no dead money, 4 pink flamingo lawn ornaments, 3 Havana cigars, 2 Conch Fritters, and a plate of black beans, red chilies and fried plantains.

  12. I like the signing. Attoachu comes in with a chip on his shoulder to prove to the 49ers made the right move to sign him.
    I look at this as addition by subtraction by letting A. Lynch walk.

    I too believe that we will find a trade partner to get us a late Rd one and another Rd 2 pick.

    For now, getting Attoachu at a basement bargain price is nothing to sneeze at.

  13. Heavens to Murgatroyd! The Dolphins are taking a $22 million dead cap hit for releasing Suh.

  15. This signing doesn’t affect the draft at all imo. It’s a shot in the dark on a pass rusher who hasn’t been able to stay healthy. I like the move, it’s a decent gamble, but he isn’t reliable enough to pass on an edge in the first round. I still think that is where they go with the pick.

    2. Yep, won’t impact on what they do in the draft. Will be either edge or OL in round 1.

  17. I think this is going to be one of the most exciting and anticipated drafts for the 49ers. I’m pumped!

    1. Crab:

      Since Crabtree is long gone and moving again, you might get out photoshop and change the five in your avatar to zero. Just a thought :)

  19. I got them grabbing Edmonds at 9 if Nelson isn’t there, and trading back UP to grab their guard.

    1. I could be wrong, but I don’t think we met with any ILBs in free agency. We still need a MIKE/WILL to pair with or replace Foster. Edmunds’ potential pass rushing is a bonus.

      My guess is Landry or Edmunds in the 1st. I’m leaning towards Landry because the Niners like him, assuming that rumor was true.

    1. Razor…. I don’t see Oakland not grabbing a CB in this draft. They did nothing in Free agency to address their biggest weakness.

      And I would think it’s going to be tough for NY not to take Barkley at 2. I know they need help at guard, but man Cleveland can make it tough on them if they do go qb.

      Niners snatching your guy wouldn’t bother me to much, I’d still like to see a pass rusher or LB or Nelson first.
      I just hope they say no to a 5-10 cb!

  21. If you think Marsh and Attaochu are going to be the primary edge rushers, then the Niners are in trouble. Edge rusher for their 1st pick is off the table? You are high Grant.

    1. Yeah edge before corner people. That’s football 101. Starts up front on offense and defense. Pass rusher in the first. Not to mention we have more talent at corner if they move Ward back there. Pass please! Landry or Chubb please.

  22. TREMAINE EDMONDS is A 6′-3″ 220 4.47-40, FREAK of NATURE BEAST LINEBACKER With RANGE, SKILLZ & RIDICULOUS SPEED For SOMEONE HIS SIZE!!! BUILDING a DEFENSE Around This KIND of TALENT Would BE The BEGINNING of a FIERCE NEW 2ND LEVEL LINEBACKER FRONT!!! SHANAHAN /LYNCH DUO HAVE OUT SPENT & OUTDONE BAALKE’S Blunders in 2 SEASONS!!!

  23. TRADE BACK & HOPEFULLY STILL PICK UP TREMAINE EDMONDS in 1ST RD. EXTRA 2ND RD. GET FIERCE LSU PASS RUSHERS ARDEN KEY & LATE 2ND WR
    TALENT LIKE NOTRE DAME 6′-5″ 220 4.48-40 ROUTE RUNNER EQUANMINOUS ST. BROWN Then in 3RD RD., BEST TALL CB LIKE TARVARUS McFADDEN to be TUTORED UNDER SHERMAN & C/G BRADEN SMITH, G BILLY PRICE Then in 4th RD

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