The Seahawks made a significant move to help their pass rush, signing free-agent defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr.
Hyder became a starter for the first time in his seven-year career last season due to injuries, starting 14 of 16 games played, and he made the most of his opportunity, leading the 49ers in sacks (a career-high 8.5), tackles for loss (10), and quarterback hits (17), while also recording a career-high 49 tackles.
Hyder, 29, came into the league as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech in 2014, spending his rookie season on the Jets' practice squad. He then signed with Detroit, spending most of the 2015 season on the practice squad before enjoying a breakout 2016 campaign in which he recorded 8.0 sacks and 19 quarterback hits. Hyder spent the 2017 season on injured reserve due to an Achilles injury sustained in the preseason, played in seven games for the Lions in 2018, then signed with Dallas in 2019.Â
When Hyder signed with the 49ers last season, it appeared he would be part of a deep pass-rush rotation, but season-ending injuries to Nick Bosa and Dee Ford not only put Hyder in a starting role, but led to him playing 69.6 percent of San Francisco's defensive snaps, the second most among defensive linemen and the fifth most of any defensive player.
"Kerry's been a stud for us," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters last season after Hyder took over the starting role. "… He can play anywhere for us, and he's done a great job (doing) that."
