The San Francisco 49ers are banking on recently acquired pass-rusher Bryce Huff reverting back to the kind of success he enjoyed under then-head coach Robert Saleh with the New York Jets in 2023, a campaign in which the newest member of the Niners boasted a career-high 10 sacks and 21 quarterback hits.
Huff's subsequent transfer to the Philadelphia Eagles a year later didn't go anywhere near as well, likely stemming from a change in scheme, as recently pointed out by the defensive end's former teammate in Philly, defensive tackle Brandon Graham.
By jettisoning Huff to San Francisco, Philadelphia (mostly) gets out from under the lucrative free-agent deal he inked entering 2024. By sending off a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, one that could turn into a fourth-rounder based on performance, the 49ers are taking on a relatively low-risk, high-reward defender to address a glaring need.
And it might be up to defensive line coach Kris Kocurek to ensure that happens.
Kris Kocurek holds key to 49ers unlocking Bryce Huff
Saleh helped get the most out of Huff, yes. But it's important to recognize the second-term defensive coordinator is more of a linebackers specialist rather than helping the defensive line (hence why names like Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw became stars).
Kocurek, the Niners' D-line coach since 2019, brought aboard a wide-9 defensive alignment, one which Graham cited as key to Huff's success in New York in 2023 that allowed him to effectively pin his ears back and use speed to converge on opposing signal-callers.
Saleh adopted it with Gang Green, yes. But Kocurek has largely been responsible for handling many of San Francisco's reclamation projects in recent years.
Linemen such as Arden Key, Charles Omenihu and Clelin Ferrell were just some names who cashed in on lucrative post-49ers contracts after working with Kocurek.
Huff appears to be next in line.
The context for such success is there, too. The Niners don't have a clearly defined No. 2 pass-rusher opposite All-Pro Nick Bosa. While their top pick in this year's draft, Mykel Williams, is envisioned to be a potential piece to this defensive puzzle, the rookie is far more polished as a run defender out of the gate and may require a year or two to fully develop his pass-rushing abilities.
With Bosa occupying blockers' primary focus, Huff is the beneficiary of less attention.
Provided Kocurek can help revert the recently acquired edge defender back into a 2023-like form.
