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Buckle up, this won’t be the only defensive end on the list.
The Randy Gregory trade probably takes the 49ers out of the running for a player like Hunter, who is a free agent after this season. He’s been dominant in 2023 though with 21 pressures and eight sacks per Pro Football Focus.
Adding him to an already strong pass rush would set the 49ers up to withstand either an injury on the defensive front, or an injury offense where Hunter could help elevate their defense significantly enough that they can withstand a major offensive step backward.
Had the 49ers wanted to snag Hunter they probably would have done so by now, but it’s something worth keeping an eye on if Gregory or any of San Francisco’s other DEs struggle at some point in the two weeks before the trade deadline.
