After a breakout year in San Francisco, defensive end Arden Key is generating a market for himself. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that he is visiting with the Jaguars today, having already done so with the Lions (Twitter link). 
Key was a third round pick of the Raiders in 2018. He played three seasons in Oakland/Vegas, starting 10 of 37 games. He played only in a rotational role after his rookie campaign, however, and totalled 49 tackles and three sacks. After the team brought in more established names like Yannick Ngakoue and Quinton Jefferson along the front seven, however, he was cut last offseason.
The LSU product signed with the 49ers less than one week later, and enjoyed the best season of his career in San Francisco. While he was still only used in a rotational capacity, playing just 35% of the team’s defensive snaps, his stated goal of improving as a pass-rusher was realized. He registered 6.5 sacks and another five tackles for loss, which has earned him outside interest.
The Lions’ defensive front is headed by the likes of Michael Brockers and recent draftees Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeill. On the edges, they have Romeo Okwara and Charles Harris, each of whom are under contract for one more season. That holds true for Dawuane Smoot of the Jaguars as well, who also have Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson in their edge-rushing corps.
While both the Jaguars and Lions could add more pass rushers with the top two picks in this year’s draft, Key would represent a solid depth addition to either team. Garafolo adds that there may be other teams meeting with him, so his final destination may not be known for a little while longer.
Lions need a pass rush and he would get snaps galore if he signs with Detroit!
If the Niners were well-run, he’d be staying put. But since they are not, he’ll leave and Lynch will have a hole to fill on a roster that will be weaker in ’22 than it was in ’21, all while Jimmy sucks up $27M in cap space and Lance cost them their draft future. Yup, Exhibit A.
I get why a 49ers fan might be frustrated right now, and they’ve certainly made some mistakes, if you want to call that organization not well run, I have some terrible news about how a whole lot of teams in the league are managed.
This guy is just a 49ers troll, that picks ajd chooses his shots any chance he could possibly point out a mistake they’ve made…
Nothing to see here, the 49ers are still a class act…This “fan”, not so much…
What’s the point in being a supposed fan when you’re always hating on your favorite team!?! What a miserable existence that must be!!
You’re talking a out how the niners are run when the other two teams in this conversation are the Jags and Lions….
The 49ers still look like the class act organization of the NFL compared to The Washington Red- WFT- Commanders – Commanders with corrected date information.
I mean Budweiser said enough with the Washington team? That is like getting fired from Ozzy Osbourne for doing too many drugs.
I mean, I understand letting him walk based on the idea they can find the next Key like they did with Kerry Hyder last year with Arden Key, but Key is 6’6/270 and 25yo, plays inside and on the edge, he’s just such a great fit and super young
If he wants snaps galore on a young team that’s growing, he will go to the Lions. They have developed two DE that were cast offs & now are producing. He would be a high rotation guy not a depth piece. He needs to play.
Could have helped the Lions
Good luck at Jacksonville