Although most analysts and fans agree the San Francisco 49ers’ greatest deficiency for the upcoming 2018 season is the team’s lack of pass rush, the Niners dealt one of their top potential pass rushers — SAM linebacker Eli Harold — to the Detroit Lions for very minimal compensation.
Earlier this offseason, one self-proclaimed analyst predicted Harold wouldn’t make the 49ers’ initial 53-man roster; still, the decision is somewhat surprising due to the lack of quarterback pressure the 49ers created over the first two weeks of the 2018 NFL Preseason.
When the selected Harold in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft, they drafted a college defensive end who excelled as a pass rusher, but lacked ability as a run-stopper on the outside.