49ers sign Elvis Dumervil to bolster pass-rush

While the Green Bay Packers have begun spring practices with their 90-man roster at maximum, fans and writers alike still perceive a need at edge rusher, as the team has just two proven veteran options at outside linebacker.

Meanwhile, one veteran edge rusher has been biding his time in free agency, waiting for his phone to ring. The pieces seemed to fit for him being a potential target of the Packers, especially given the team’s increased willingness to bolster the roster with free agents this offseason. Unfortunately for some Packers fans who were hoping that the team might sign Elvis Kool Dumervil, the longtime Raven and Bronco has landed with a new team today: the San Francisco 49ers.

49ers GM John Lynch announced the signing on Twitter this afternoon.

Dumervil was a stand-up edge rusher for the Baltimore Ravens in their 3-4 defense for the past four seasons, earning two Pro Bowl nods and a first-team All-Pro honor in 2014, when he had 17 sacks. Prior to that, he was primarily a 4-3 defensive end with the Broncos, where he also had tremendous success. In fact, he led the NFL in 2009 with 17 sacks, and made another All-Pro team that year.

However, in 2016 he was limited to just eight games, the first time in his career that he had played fewer than 13, and he turned 33 years old in January. Furthermore, he made just 11 total tackles (with three sacks) in those eight games. Still, he should provide the 49ers with a solid veteran presence off the edge as they move from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 scheme this season.