49ers Trade Rumors: SF 'Deep in Talks' with Chiefs for Dee Ford

The Kansas City Chiefs are "deep in talks" to trade linebacker Dee Ford to the San Francisco 49ers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Rapoport noted "things have escalated" to the point where a trade could be agreed upon by the end of Tuesday evening. However, Ford would have to strike a new contract with the 49ers, as the Chiefs gave him their franchise tag for the 2019 season.

Ford amassed a career-high 13.0 sacks and 55 tackles last season.

Albert Breer of The MMQB reported the 49ers have agreed to send the Chiefs a 2020 second-round pick for Ford, and Josina Anderson of ESPN relayed the potential contract numbers:

San Francisco currently has the NFL's fourth-most cap space ($55.1 million), per Over the Cap.

The 49ers tied for 17th in adjusted sack rate last season, according to Football Outsiders, so they could use a top pass-rusher to shore up a defense that finished fifth-worst in points allowed last season.

Ford fits that bill.

Rob Lowder of Niners Nation posted some of Ford's most notable accomplishments:

According to Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride, Pro Football Focus also credited Ford with the most pressures of any edge-rusher last season.

As a result, he won't come cheap. 

Regardless, the 49ers have enough cap space to afford Ford, who could help fuel a defensive turnaround.