Set to cut Arik Armstead and already seeing Javon Kinlaw commit to rejoin Robert Saleh in New York, the 49ers are making changes at defensive tackle. They will bring in a recent Browns starter.
Jordan Elliott is joining the team on a two-year, $10MM agreement, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. The former third-round pick started 31 games for the Browns over the past two seasons.
The Mizzou alum started for a bad Browns defense in 2022 but retained his job during Jim Schwartz‘s turnaround effort last year. Elliott ranked 12th in ESPN’s run stop win rate metric last season. Pro Football Focus was far less sold, ranking Elliott outside the top 110 among defensive tackles in each of the past two seasons.
Elliott, 26, will come over after spending time in a 4-3 scheme in Cleveland. That will make for an easier transition to the 49ers’ setup, which has been a 4-3 look for many years. Elliott combined for 4.5 sacks over the past two seasons, contributing to Cleveland’s No. 1-ranked pass defense — alongside DTs Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris — in 2023.
Although the 49ers still have Javon Hargrave anchoring their DT corps, losing Armstead will be a blow for the team. More additions here should be expected. T.Y. McGill and Kalia Davis remain under contract inside for San Francisco.