Getting to know pass rusher Jeremiah Attaochu, who signed Thursday with the 49ers on a one-year, $5.1 million deal with $2.5 million guaranteed:
1. Another ‘Leo’ option. As much as the 49ers need a stronger pass rush, they’ll again give several players a chance to fill the “Leo” pass-rusher role, and the latest candidate is Attaochu, who had 10 sacks his first three seasons with the Chargers.
Although he comes from a defense that employed a similar scheme last year under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, Attaochu appeared in only four games and played 59 defensive snaps. The Chargers have flourished the past two seasons with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, who combined for 23 sacks last year and 18 1/2 in 2016.
“I was healthy the entire season and ready to go Week 1,” Attaochu said. “Unfortunately I didn’t get the opportunities I needed.” Others likely to challenge for that role on the 49ers: Arik Armstead, Eli Harold, Cassius Marsh, Dekoda Watson and Pita Taumoepenu.
2. Self-scouting report. Attaochu envisions himself as an ideal edge rusher who’s capable of also running down field to deliver big hits on special teams. “I’m just relentless,” Attaochu said. “I have great burst, great speed off the edge. So I think that relentlessness is going to help us a lot with what the interior guys are doing.”
3. 49ers view of him. Attaochu’s signing came after Thursday’s press conference introducing McKinnon and Richburg, but general manager John Lynch issued a statement describing his latest signing as a “disruptive” defender.
“Jeremiah has been quite disruptive during his career despite his limited opportunities playing behind some top tier defensive ends,” Lynch said. “He is a wonderful fit for our scheme and our locker room. We expect Jeremiah to be productive on defense, while also providing us an exceptional player on special teams. He’s another guy who fits the mold of a 49er.”
4. Buckner partner. Remember when many thought defensive tackle DeForest Buckner might go No. 4 overall to the Chargers in the 2016 draft. Attaochu not only thought so, too, but he hoped for it.
“Buckner, I watch a lot of film on him,” Attaochu said. “I was excited and actually wanted him to come to San Diego when I was in my second year. I thought it would help me out. Now we’re together and that’s going to be exciting.” Buckner, taken No. 7 by the 49ers, has been their defensive MVP since his arrival, and although he has only nine career sacks, he was their Hazeltine Iron Man Award winner last season.
5. Career year. Attaochu posted six of his career 10 sacks during the 2015 season, while also totaling 55 tackles and a forced fumble. That raised his expectations for 2016. “I want to hone in my pass-rush and just really double my production in sacks and strip sacks,” Attaochu told ESPN.com in May 2016.
A high-ankle sprain and broken right foot limited him to eight games in 2016. A hamstring injury limited him in last year’s offseason program and training camp.
6. High pick. Attaochu was 21 when he got drafted in the second round (No. 50 overall) after leaving Georgia Tech with a school-record 31 1/2 sacks, including 12 1/2 his senior season. He made AP All-America’s third team, and All-ACC first team.
7. Dazzling debut. Attaochu blocked a punt and forced a Carson Palmer fumble on a strip-sack in the Chargers’ 2014 season opener, an 18-17 loss at the Arizona Cardinals.
8. Garoppolo fan. The 49ers knew Jimmy Garoppolo’s presence might attract free agents, and Attaochu has wanted to play with the quarterback since their days at the 2014 Senior Bowl, which also included two other 49ers newcomers in running back Jerick McKinnon and center Weston Richburg.
“I just remember the type of leadership that he presented himself with, how guys gravitated to him,” Attaochu said of Garoppolo. “His team had energy. I wanted to be on his team at the Senior Bowl. Just the way the guys practiced with him and played with him was amazing. It was almost like a Drew Brees kind of vibe.”
9. Family background. Attaochu was born in Ibadan, Nigeria on Jan. 17, 1993. He began playing football in ninth grade, as he thought he was in line to take a physical for the soccer team, according to his Chargers bio. He had 14 sacks as a senior and graduated from Archbishop Carroll High in Washington, D.C..
10. Name tag. How do you pronounce Attaochu? Thursday, he pronounced it: “ah-TAU’-choo.”
How do you pronounce Jeremiah Attaochu's last name?
Here you go… AH-ta-chew #ChargersDraft
— Los Angeles Chargers (@Chargers) May 10, 2014