49ers get defensive line help, acquire Jordan Willis via trade from Jets
Oct 27, 2020, 1:54 PM
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball against defensive end Jordan Willis #60 of the New York Jets during the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 12, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers announced on Tuesday that they will be receiving DL Jordan Willis and a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft from the New York Jets in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2022 draft.
The Niners will get much-needed defensive line help after losing two defensive linemen in Solomon Thomas and 2019 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa, who both tore their ACLs in Week 2 against, coincidentally, the Jets.
San Francisco will also become the second NFC West rival of the Arizona Cardinals to upgrade on the defensive side of the ball thanks to a trade with the Jets following the Seattle Seahawks’ acquisition of All-Pro safety Jamal Adams in July.
Willis was originally drafted out of Kansas State by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft (73rd overall).
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In four seasons with the Bengals (2017-19) and Jets (2019-20), Willis has amassed 52 tackles, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass defensed in 43 career games (two starts).
However, the defensive end has only appeared in two games with the Jets this season after being claimed off waivers by New York in September 2019.
The Cardinals are heading into their Week 8 bye coming off of a 37-34 OT win over the Seahawks and won’t have to worry about Willis until Week 16.
However, with the NFC West being the only division in the NFL with every team over .500, every divisional matchup becomes that much more imperative as 2020’s playoff picture will feature seven teams and only one bye from each conference.
The Cardinals are 2-0 against NFC West opponents this year and don’t face a division opponent until yet another primetime matchup with the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football in Week 11 on Nov. 19.
Arizona plays the Los Angeles Rams for the first time in Week 13 on Dec. 6 at State Farm Stadium before closing out the 2020 season with back-to-back NFC West contests against San Francisco at home and Los Angeles on the road.
