Jordan

Willis

Since joining the 49ers in 2020, Willis has been 65 percent of his defensive snaps come on passing downs. He’s totaled 7.5 sacks over the last three seasons, and will likely serve as a passing down specialist with the Raiders next season.

He blocked the punt that the 49ers returned for a touchdown to help upset Green Bay in the Divisional Round last season. Willis is entering his age-27 season and has shown decent run defense and some pass-rush promise. He hasn’t played more than 229 defensive snaps in a season since leaving the Bengals in 2018.

The 49ers acquired Willis from the Jets for a late-round pick swap last year. They re-signed him to a one-year contract after the season ended. He appeared in seven games for San Francisco, recording 2.5 sacks and 13 total tackles. Willis’s role was going to be scaled back in 2021 with the 49ers’ defensive line unlikely to experience the same rash of injuries as they did last year. He will be eligible to return in Week 8.

The 49ers traded down a late-round pick in this year’s draft for Willis back in Week 7. Prior to injury, Willis had a 19% snap share in a sub-package role, posting 2.5 sacks in nine games with the 49ers and Jets. 25-year-old Willis will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

The move will be made official Tuesday afternoon. Also coming off the COVID list and rejoining Aiyuk on the 53-man roster will be DT D.J. Jones, TE Daniel Helm and DL Jordan Willis. Aiyuk, who had three straight 75-yard games before catching the coronavirus, has not played since Week 10. Deebo Samuel returned from injury in Week 12 and had a monster game, though Samuel and Aiyuk are utilized differently in coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He gets more “pure receiver” looks, with Samuel a YAC slasher. Aiyuk will offer some WR3 value for Week 13 against the Bills.

The former third-rounder of the Bengals in 2017, Willis has three career sacks and has played 11% of the Jets’ defensive snaps this season. He’s unlikely to become a significant difference-maker for the Niners.

Willis fills the available roster spot leftover from Quincy Enunwa’s (neck, IR) absence. The Dolphins were also reportedly interesting in Willis. A third-round pick by the Bengals in 2017, Willis didn’t play a single snap in Week 1 before being waived on Tuesday. He may be needed as early as Monday with both C.J. Mosley (groin) and Quinnen Williams (ankle) limited.

The No. 73 overall pick of the 2017 draft, Willis had made just two starts through his first two years in the league, tallying two sacks. He didn’t play a snap in Sunday’s opener against the Seahawks. Willis won’t be the last Marvin Lewis player Zac Taylor moves on from.

Willis (6’4/255) was a 39-game starter at K-State, placing third in school history in sacks (26) and sack yards (164) with 40.5 career tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles. Willis earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. A high-motor edge presence, PFF College charted Willis with the second most QB pressures (80) in the nation in 2016, noting his explosive get-off and bull rush. Willis also posted a 94th-percentile SPARQ score in Indy. Willis has limitations in space and run defense, but his pass-rush skills are inarguable. We were shocked he didn’t generate more pre-draft buzz.

A 39-game starter at K-State, Willis racked up enough sacks and pressures to earn Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. High-motor, Willis also tested as an exceptional athlete, generating a 94th-percentile SPARQ score. Willis is a work-in-progress against the run, but he should have an immediate rookie role as a situational pass rusher.