Could Ronald Blair be the next free agent signee for the Cleveland Browns? It seems folks in both Cleveland and San Francisco are making the connection between Blair and his old 49ers defensive coach Joe Woods reuniting with the Browns.
Blair is a free agent defensive end who has spent his entire 4-year career with the 49ers. The 27-year-old has played as a backup rush end in San Francisco’s defense, where he’s been coached by both new Browns DC Woods and DL coach Chris Kiffin.
Those connections resonated with Kyle Posey of Niners Nation, who noted:
With Joe Woods being the defensive coordinator in Cleveland, and Chris Kiffin as the defensive line coach, he was on the Niners staff last year, the move makes sense. Blair would be a tough loss for San Francisco. He’s an ideal backup.
One complicating factor for Blair is that he’s coming off a torn ACL. With the travel complications from the coronavirus pandemic, it’s hard to know just how healthy Blair might be. Helpfully, Blair posted on his Instagram a video of him returning to running at a training facility:
Jake Trotter of ESPN notes the Browns have shown some interest in Blair, a fifth-round pick in 2016 from Appalachian State. At 270 pounds, he’s a heavier, power-to-speed rusher with 13.5 career sacks.
