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After last week’s initial free agency wave, week number two has come with a different approach, as many of the top tier free agents have left the board. From the 49ers’ perspective, there is limited money, and until a George Kittle contract extension is sorted out, it’s hard to imagine they’ll spend what they have. That can always change, but for now, they’re taking one-year fliers on cheap players who will hopefully play above their pay grade.
Kerry Hyder is the next up on that low-risk roulette wheel, with Ian Rapoport reporting the 49ers signed the former Jets, Lions and Cowboys defensive end to a one-year deal.
Source: Former #Cowboys and #Lions pass-rusher Kerry Hyder is signing with the #49ers on a 1-year deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 23, 2020
Hyder was a former Kris Kocurek pupil with the Lions, where Kocurek was defensive line coach from 2009 to 2017 (asst. D-line in 2009). Initially undrafted and signed by the Jets to their practice squad, Hyder eventually earned a practice squad spot with the Lions before earning promotion to the active roster in 2016.
His career year came in 2017, when he played in all 16 games (two starts) with 8.0 sacks and 36 tackles, including 11 for a loss. That promising trajectory was cut short when Hyder tore his Achilles in the Lions’ first preseason game in 2018. He signed with the Cowboys in 2019, where he played all 16 games with 1.0 sack and 17 tackles (4 for a loss).