How 49ers’ defensive line can offset Arden Key’s exit to Jaguars

Arden Key’s one-year renaissance with the 49ers landed him a new job Wednesday with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The 49ers aren’t necessarily taking applications at his old position.

Their defensive line’s nine-man rotation is not exactly depleted. Kerry Hyder Jr. returned last week after a one-year sojourn to Seattle, essentially reclaiming the role that Key filled last season.

That said, Key served as a capable, lively body that helped spark the 49ers’ second-half surge. All but one of his career-high 6 1/2 sacks came as the 49ers went 7-2 to finish the regular season and clinch a playoff berth. Key had 10 hits the last four games before, well, vanishing off the stat sheet in the three playoffs (no quarterback hits, no sacks).

After just three sacks in three season for the Raiders, Key rejuvenated his career with the 49ers, and he did so by surprisingly adding an inside pass rush to his repertoire when needed.

The Jaguars, who’ve spent lavishly in free agency under former 49ers general manager Trent Baalke, reportedly will pay Key up to $7 million this season, according to the NFL Network.

The 49ers covet defensive linemen, so they’ll surely add more over the next month and perhaps for training camp in four months.

They lost nose tackle D.J. Jones to the Denver Broncos earlier in free agency, and they’re counting on 2020 top pick Javon Kinlaw to help fill that void in a big way if Kinlaw’s knee rehabilitation cooperates.

Without Key in the pass rush, the 49ers do re-insert Hyder, but they also have Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Samson Ebukam, Charles Omenihu, Jordan Willis and Alex Barrett.

#Jaguars & Trent Baalke signed Arden Key this morning. He came on strong in his one year with 49ers after cast aside by Raiders. https://t.co/LZuy4adaee

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) March 30, 2022