An expert rated superstar as the second-best free agent signing

His contract tied with the projected production are the reasons why.

We can watch the players play and look up hundreds of statistics on them, but we have no idea what to anticipate until they line up and play football.

When you ask individuals who have closely watched Leonard Floyd’s game, whether during his time with the Buffalo Bills in 2023 or his earlier seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, the overwhelming response is good. This feedback validates his abilities and inspires confidence in his prospective effect on the San Francisco 49ers.

Floyd’s performance may be summarized by the fact that he remains an above-average athleticism for his age, propelled by a good motor that contributes in his ability to generate pressure as a pass rusher. The San Francisco 49ers are hoping for two things from him: strong production opposite Nick Bosa and continued health, both of which might potentially improve the team’s performance.

Floyd had not missed a game since 2017. It’s been five years since he had less than nine sacks. The Niners’ strategy appears to be to halt the run with your heavy, bulky bodies on early downs. This allows them to get into obvious passing downs. You do not need Floyd to be the top pass rusher. He does not have to be second-best, either. He only needs to be reliable and competitive.

Floyd’s fit and presumed role with the 49ers is why CBS Sports ranked him as the second-best free agency signing:

Deal: 2 years, $20 million

The 49ers decided to move on from Chase Young this offseason in favor of Floyd, who is 31 years old and still one of most productive pass rushers in football. Floyd is one of three players with 9+ sacks in each of the last four seasons (Myles Garrett and Haason Reddick are the others), and is coming off a season in which he had 10.5 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, and an 11.3% pressure rate.

With Nick Bosa on the other end, the opportunities will be there for Floyd to live up to that $10 million average salary (and $12 million of the contract is guaranteed). The highest cap number San Francisco will even have is $10.108 million, in 2025.

Paying a 31-year-old pass rusher can be risky, but Floyd is a smart investment for being a No. 2 pass rusher on a defensive line with Bosa and Javon Hargrave.

One of the more intriguing features of Floyd’s contract is his $1.2 million basic pay in 2024. Even if we predict a ‘lower’ season for him, with 8 sacks and ten tackles for loss, his worth remains enormous. With a cap charge of $3.4 million, the 49ers are making a wise financial investment in a guy who constantly delivers, regardless of his circumstances.

Floyd’s base salary in 2024 is lower than Drake Jackson’s. Based on base pay, he is tied for the 98th highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL. Looking at his value through those lenses, as well as Floyd’s predicted production, it’s clear why he’s considered a steal.