Niners Nation - All Posts"We're the San Francisco 49ers, we can do whatever we want."https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47865/ninersnation_f.png2024-03-18T16:20:03-07:00http://www.ninersnation.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T16:20:03-07:002024-03-18T16:20:03-07:0049ers sign QB Josh Dobbs to a one-year deal worth $2.25 million guaranteed
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<p>Brock Purdy has a new backup</p> <p id="RfZQyM">So much for the Zach Wilson <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/18/24105095/should-san-francisco-49ers-trade-for-new-york-jets-qb-zach-wilson-kyle-shanahan-brock-purdy">talk</a>. According to his agent, the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> are signing Josh Dobbs to a <a href="https://x.com/MikeMcCartney7/status/1769854014382891119?s=20">one-year deal</a>. Here’s how fickle the NFL (media) is. Dobbs, who has played for the Tennesee Titans, <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>, and <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> within the past year, was mentioned in the conversation for not just Comeback Player of the Year but MVP after a two-week stretch when he led the Vikings to victories over the <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a> and <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> in back to back weeks.</p>
<p id="eZK2AV">That shine quickly wore off after Dobbs came back down to earth against the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com">Denver Broncos</a> before getting benched after throwing four interceptions against the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>. The 29-year-old is literally a rocket scientist and should help Brock Purdy in the meeting rooms and assist him on the sidelines.</p>
<p id="p0gpRv">It’s unlikely that Dobbs will cost the same as Sam Darnold did a season ago, so the 49ers should be coming out ahead financially for their backup quarterback. Sure enough, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Dobbs’ deal includes $2.25 million, which is fully guaranteed, with $750,000 in playing time incentives. Last season, Darnold was guaranteed $3.5 million at the time of signing.</p>
https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/18/24105331/josh-dobbs-sam-darnold-brock-purdy-49ers-backup-quarback-free-agencyKyle Posey2024-03-18T14:04:49-07:002024-03-18T14:04:49-07:00Free agency updates: Chase Young signs with the New Orleans Saints on a one-year deal worth $13 million
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<p>Plus, keeping tabs on the other moves in today’s NFL.</p> <p id="VC22Dh"><strong>Kyle’s update, Monday, 2:02 p.m. PT: </strong>According to <a href="https://x.com/Schultz_Report/status/1769830068430229693?s=20">several reports</a> Chase Young is signing a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. <a href="https://x.com/JosinaAnderson/status/1769831074362700066?s=20">CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson</a> reports it’s a deal worth up to $13 million, which is critical for the 49ers compensatory formula.</p>
<p id="K7qPl3"><strong>Kyle’s update, Friday, 2:35 p.m. PT: </strong>We had a trade earlier this morning that sent Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. Outside of Brock Purdy, the 2022 QB class has been a disaster.</p>
<p id="h4XJE8">In other quarterback news, Jimmy Garoppolo is returning to the NFC West. Multiple reports confirmed that Jimmy G is signing with the Los Angeles Rams.</p>
<p id="pzvpgm"><strong>Kyle’s update, 1:44 p.m. PT: </strong>Another linebacker is off the board. Deon Bush signed a one-year deal with the Browns.</p>
<p id="zFHlh4">The Seattle Seahawks traded for Sam Howell. He’ll backup Geno Smith. Seattle gave Washington the No. 102 and No. 179 picks in exchange for No. 78 and No. 152.</p>
<p id="IS6sj7">Slot cornerback Kendall Fuller signed a two-year deal worth $16.5 million with the Miami Dolphins.</p>
<p id="imRC3d">The <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> will have a new primary returner in 2024. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Ray-Ray McCloud signed a two-year deal worth up to $6 million with the <a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a>.</p>
<p id="ZAi3ne">Most of the signings have slowed down now that we’re later in the week. We’ll use this as the free agency tracker moving forward. Here’s what’s happened so far on Thursday.</p>
<p id="CruJGP">The <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> traded wide receiver Rondale Moore to the Falcons in exchange for backup quarterback Desmond Ridder.</p>
<p id="5sJnEg">The NFL is investigating the Falcons and Eagles for potential tampering relating to Kirk Cousins and Saquon Barkley.</p>
<p id="WhGPRL"><a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> head coach Dan Campbell signed a three-year extension, as did general manager Brad Holmes. Both are deserving.</p>
<p id="D6DA4A">The official trade for Maliek Collins is final, and the 49ers sent pick No. 232 to Houston. The last time the team traded a late pick for a <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a> player, it netted them Charles Omenihu.</p>
<p id="PzyzPn">The Chargers restructured Joey Bosa’s contract, so the dream of the Bosa brothers playing together will have to wait.</p>
https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/14/24101121/ray-ray-mccloud-dan-campbell-brad-holmes-49ers-lions-free-agencyKyle Posey2024-03-18T13:34:01-07:002024-03-18T13:34:01-07:0049ers forefit 2025 5th round pick; knocked down draft order in 4th round for ‘payroll accounting errors’
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<p>The 49ers also signed Brandon Parker, an offensive lineman from the Raiders.</p> <p id="w0TjuZ">The San Francisco 49ers officially announced the signing of Leonard Floyd to a two-year deal and De’Vondre Campbell, Chase Lucas, offensive lineman Brandon Parker, and Isaac Yiadom to one-year deals.</p>
<p id="20r12J">Parker is 6’8, 320 pounds, and a draftee by the then Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has started 33 games and appeared in five. Parker started one game last season with Las Vegas. For the past three seasons, Parker has exclusively played right tackle. That’s been the case in each year except 2020, when Parker saw snaps at left tackle.</p>
<p id="AxdFpn">According to the NFL, the 49ers are being knocked down in the draft order of the 4th round — they’ll move from pick No. 131 to pick No. 135, which is behind the compensatory picks, and also lose next year’s fifth-round pick after the NFL found administrative payroll accounting errors at the close of the 2022 league year that resulted in a misreporting of their cumulative player compensation.</p>
<p id="nfFWAm">Somebody either pressed the wrong button on the calculator or got their ledgers mixed up. It’s not the end of the world, but this is an organization that has a strong history of hitting on fifth-round picks.</p>
<p id="ZYhCNi">According to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, the 49ers released a statement:</p>
<p id="cZcws5">“We take responsibility and accept the imposed discipline from the NFL due to a clerical payroll error. At no time did we mislead or otherwise deceive the League or gain a competitive advantage in connection with the payroll mistake.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Seems like a pretty harsh penalty for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/49ers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#49ers</a>. They ended the 2022 season with $5.23 million in cap room, so if they would have been cap compliant at all times it had to be less than a $5M error. In theory it should also reduce their cap room now if the league adjusts for it</p>— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jason_OTC/status/1769823438028386596?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/18/24105187/leonard-floyd-brandon-parker-jon-felicano-49ers-free-agency-nfl-draft-forefitKyle Posey2024-03-18T12:27:01-07:002024-03-18T12:27:01-07:00Report: 49ers’ asked the Jaguars for pick No. 17, plus a player, in exchange for Brandon Aiyuk
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<p>The 49ers asked for the Jaguars No. 17 overall pick and Zay Jones, but the Jaguars soured on the deal.</p> <p id="d6vxeh">Last week, <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/14/24100973/brandon-aiyuk-adonai-mitchell-49ers-free-agency-nfl-draft-trade-rumors">a report surfaced</a> that there was mutual interest between <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s camp and the <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>, who recently lost Calvin Ridley in free agency to the Tennesee Titans.</p>
<p id="aSlwk1">One reason the 49ers would shop Aiyuk is that his asking price is higher than they would be willing to pay. So, instead of forking out cash for the receiver they developed into an elite weapon at a premier position, they’d flip him for a first-round pick, draft his replacement, rinse, wash, and repeat.</p>
<p id="ak6eRf">Niners fans found out about Mia O’Brien — the reporter who initially tweeted about Aiyuk and the Jaguars — leading to O’Brien clarifying the potential trade between San Francisco and Jacksonville:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">As I noted on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/XLPrimetime?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#XLPrimetime</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/49ers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#49ers</a> reportedly would've wanted No. 17 overall + Zay Jones. Then <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jaguars?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jaguars</a> would have to pay Aiyuk. So, fizzling out.<br><br>(hopefully this tweet will stop all the random Niners fans who have Facebook friend requested/IG DM'd me in the last 4 days) <a href="https://t.co/jm3pEXXxM2">https://t.co/jm3pEXXxM2</a></p>— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/MiaOBrienTV/status/1769796364047630365?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="gLVEnq">Here’s how I interpreted Mia’s tweet: The 49ers asked for the Jaguars first-round pick in this year’s draft, which is No. 17 overall, and wide receiver Zay Jones — a 6’2, 200-pound veteran receiver entering the final year of his contract.</p>
<p id="NNj51U">Jacksonville soured on the idea of surrendering a first-round pick and giving Aiyuk north of $23 million annually, and the trade fell through.</p>
<p id="Lm4Xn6">Whatever O’Brien was responding to was deleted, but her tweet doubles down on the notion that the 49ers are either picking up the phone or listening to offers involving Aiyuk, as they should.</p>
<p id="PedZkF">Instead of downplaying reports like this, I’d look at them through the lens of imagining everything we don’t know or the news that never sees the light of day. Would I trade Aiyuk? Absolutely not. Is there a deal out there that would change my mind? Without hesitation, yes.</p>
<p id="j71S5G">This is a business, and the 49ers must act in the team’s best interests in 2024 and the foreseeable future. That means they’ll weigh all their options, from asking their high-priced defensive tackle to take a pay cut to trading their ascending star receiver. </p>
https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/18/24105076/brandon-aiyuk-zay-jones-calvin-ridley-49ers-titans-jaguars-nfl-trade-rumorsKyle Posey2024-03-18T12:02:17-07:002024-03-18T12:02:17-07:00Should the 49ers trade for Jets QB Zach Wilson?
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<figcaption>Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The 49ers are rumored to have interest in the Jets quarterback.</p> <p id="hautsb">The <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> have been in rumors about potentially trading for <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> Zach Wilson, who is expected to fetch only a late Day 3 pick in return.</p>
<p id="83XxVE">Wilson, the No. 2 pick in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">2021 NFL Draft</a>, has had a tumultuous NFL career with the Jets, throwing for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions in 34 career games, while completing only 57 percent of his passes.</p>
<p id="yFnW5v">The 49ers had interest in Wilson back before the 2021 NFL Draft, but ultimately didn’t get a chance to acquire him, as he was locked in as the No. 2 overall pick to the Jets early in the process.</p>
<p id="3DgRcm">Now, with a chance to potentially get Wilson, would a trade be smart for the 49ers to fill their backup quarterback position?</p>
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<p id="azPZc0">Should the 49ers go after Wilson, they’d likely only need to trade a seventh-round pick in return.</p>
<p id="82Sqm1">Wilson has just one year on his rookie contract remaining, and the 49ers would pay him $5.45 million, assuming the Jets don’t eat any money on his contract.</p>
<p id="VqR5Kr">But, even with the low risk attributed to the move, the 49ers should shy away from going for Wilson.</p>
<p id="RpiJ5D">Not only is that contract hefty for a backup quarterback, which the 49ers seem to be trying to avoid, but Wilson’s track record has been uninspiring in the NFL.</p>
<p id="ycnzEy">If the 49ers want to go with a younger option at quarterback, they should opt to draft a rookie and develop them, providing them with a cost-efficient solution behind starter Brock Purdy.</p>
<p id="GOG52y">The backup quarterback position has been a subject of heavy conversation among 49ers fans, given how often their starters have gotten injured over the Kyle Shanahan era.</p>
<p id="EH3DTd">But, ultimately, the chances of winning key games with a backup quarterback are significantly slimmer, which is why the 49ers shouldn’t divert much toward the position, especially as they are already dealing with cap issues.</p>
<p id="72A8oM">The 2024 NFL Draft provides them with a number of potential late-round options that have different profiles, and San Francisco could find a prospect with one of their Day 3 selections.</p>
<p id="woGsvw">Additionally, should they not be confident in a rookie immediately, veteran Brandon Allen, who has the coveted year in the system, could be the fallback option, while a young quarterback could spend a season on the practice squad.</p>
<p id="iRIfgz">However, the goal should be to get cheaper at the quarterback position, and drafting an option would provide the 49ers with a young, cost-efficient solution that could develop into a solid backup in the future.</p>
<p id="nNBDB6">Trading for Zach Wilson, who has just one year of team control and hasn’t been a quality quarterback in the NFL, wouldn’t solve the team’s backup quarterback dilemma.</p>
https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/18/24105095/should-san-francisco-49ers-trade-for-new-york-jets-qb-zach-wilson-kyle-shanahan-brock-purdyRohanChakravarthi2024-03-18T10:30:00-07:002024-03-18T10:30:00-07:00Patrick Willis says the 49ers are still the team to beat in the NFC
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<p>Willis acknowledged that missing Dre Greenlaw and replacing him won’t be easy</p> <p id="Nkuem5">Former <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> linebacker Patrick Willis was in Anaheim, California, late last week at the ExpoWest convention with Nirvana Super, promoting wellness beverages, taking selfies with fans, and serving as a brand ambassador.</p>
<p id="SUoEB3">You can visit Nirvana’s <a href="http://www.feelsuper.com/">website here</a>. Their goal is to help people transform their bodies at a cellular level. Willis said it’s good for everyone, from high-level athletes like himself to the average Joe like you and me:</p>
<blockquote><p id="Lc433E">Absolutely. Nirvana is for everyone. What I love most about Nirvana is that we do have some products that have stimulants in them, but it’s only 100 milligrams. So it’s not one of those over-the-top energy drinks where you get 200 milligrams, and you feel like you want to run across America. You get just enough, which is perfect.</p></blockquote>
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<p id="pZh1kX">Willis explained more about Nirvana’s product in our discussion. You can also visit their Instagram page for more <a href="http://www.instagram.com/nirvanasuper">information here</a>.</p>
<p id="NZe8bn">Now, we’ll get into the rest of my conversation with Willis.</p>
<p id="MDkvow">Willis now dons a gold jacket. I asked newly inducted Hall of Famer if it was similar to Steve Young getting the monkey off his back after winning the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> in the ‘90s and how stressful the process leading up to his induction was. Here’s Willis’s answer:</p>
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<p id="Hq4Hnm">I wouldn’t say that I was stressful. I can say that I was honored to be in the conversation. It wasn’t like I was going into it like, ‘man, what are y’all doing?’ I just always said, if it was meant for me to be in the Hall of Fame, then one day it’ll happen.</p>
<p id="rqT9VZ">That one day happened this year. I’m just very fortunate to be in the Pro Football class of 2024.</p>
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<p id="X4JfAF">Since we’re in the middle of free agency, I asked Willis how hands-on he was when it came time for a new deal or an extension or if he left everything to his agent:</p>
<blockquote><p id="PcPSsh">Free agency is a big deal. A lot of times, you hope to grab that missing piece or that veteran piece. For me, I never had a chance to enter the free agent market. After my third year, I signed a contract extension. Then, playing eight seasons with the Niners. I didn’t get a chance to get to the free agency market.</p></blockquote>
<p id="paAD3g">Nobody remembers the consistency of the 49ers and how they’re making the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfc-championship-game">NFC Championship</a> or the Super Bowl year after year. They want results, and the Niners don’t have those have another Super Bowl loss. I asked Patrick if he were John Lynch or Kyle Shanahan if he would continue to stay the course, keep swinging for the fence, or what needs to change for the 49ers to go over the top:</p>
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<p id="Lth0TC">Before the season started, I said this was going to be the season where you all have to get it done, where you have to win a championship this year. The team, the morale, the energy, the camaraderie, they went out and put all the pieces together.</p>
<p id="Bp8f1n">They went out and got the defensive end from the Commanders, Chase Young. I felt like that was a big piece. For them not to get it done this year, I knew it was going to be different coming into the new season.</p>
<p id="ZvccgX">With that being said, there are always changes going into the offseason. They still have a great group of guys and the veteran leadership. Obviously, having the quarterback. Quarterback plays a big role. [Brock] Purdy being, if not the best quarterback this year, one of the best. I still think they have upside. Obviously, they have to pull it together and win the games.</p>
<p id="dzilJM">Right now, they’re runner-ups. They still hold the mantle of being the team to beat in the NFC West and the NFC, but we shall see.</p>
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<p id="kJbT3o">Based on everything you just said, would you call this past season a disappointment because they came up short?</p>
<blockquote><p id="O84SOO">You know, it’s kind of hard to say disappointment cause I’m not in the locker room with them. I understand a little bit of the dynamics in getting that far. Every year, you want to win a championship. And to get that far and come up short, having all that they had in that locker room, I feel like they’re disappointed that they didn’t get that done. I don’t sense that there’s a moral victory in the thought process with this team. I can feel that they’re disappointed that they didn’t win.</p></blockquote>
<p id="Mxr4WG">Dre Greenlaw is one of my favorite players to watch on the team because I believe you have to have a certain type of intent to play this sport, and he embodies that level of intent. So, seeing him go down in the Super Bowl like that is heartbreaking.</p>
<p id="8wtjCr">As someone who has dealt with injuries, how tough is the mental hurdle to overcome when you’re going through the rehab process?</p>
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<p id="tUV8Bl">Yeah, I’m a big fan of Dre’s. It’s unfortunate that he had that injury to his Achilles and the time he had it. What I’ll say is that when it comes to injuries, and what a lot of people don’t realize, when you get an injury, it takes a lot out of you. </p>
<p id="cMpvQs">Not only does it take a lot out of you, but it also takes a lot out of you to get back, just heal, and get back to where you were and get better. That’s a lot of energy. It ain’t like you’re just coming off your season where you were, and you can just step in where you were and crank it up. </p>
<p id="PpHRbU">He’s gotta make sure that he doesn’t overdo it but still continue to get better each day. So I would just say that he’s just gotta take a deep breath, be patient with yourself, but also know that he’s going to have some tough times. You just have to grind through it. It’s just going to take a little bit more going through the injury.</p>
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<p id="csWvis">It seems like we speak to Willis every March around this time. My next question was, this time next year, will the 49ers be Super Bowl champions, and if so, why? What’s changed?</p>
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<p id="6xsJaH">I’m going to go out on a limb and say yes. Again, they have all the pieces in the main places where you need it to continue to win games. First off, to get to the playoffs, you have to win games. They have veteran leadership on the team.</p>
<p id="jSSXlF">Just seeing some of the things that they’ve worked out. I saw Kyle Juszczyk <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/11/24096984/kyle-juszczyk-christian-mccaffrey-arik-armstead-brock-purdy-49ers-kyle-shanahan-salary-cap">restructured</a>. I don’t see why not, and that’s not me being biased. Again, they still have a really good defense.</p>
<p id="GCGipV">However, not having Dre, like you said, he’s a big focal point of that defense. Him and Fred [Warner] are the generals of that defense. They make the defense go. They will be adding [Talanoa] Hufanga back. I’m looking forward to him coming back and picking up where he left off, maybe even better.</p>
<p id="MLd8Ft">But unfortunately, not having Dre, that’s a big piece. And I just saw that they’re <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/13/24099967/arik-armstead-jordan-elliott-yetur-gross-matos-49ers-free-agency">letting go of</a> [Arik] Armstead. so things are going to be different. But they still have some key pieces, which makes them a very, very dangerous team.</p>
<p id="3QG2SG">Make sure you all go check out Nirvana Super dot com, Feel Super. Go get your Nirvana. Let’s go!</p>
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<p id="Kn0T15">You can watch the 11-minute interview below:</p>
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https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/18/24104904/patrick-willis-dre-greenlaw-fred-warner-brock-purdy-kyle-juszczyk-49ers-free-agencyKyle Posey2024-03-18T09:01:00-07:002024-03-18T09:01:00-07:00What second wave free-agent player should the 49ers sign?
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<img alt="San Francisco 49ers v Seattle Seahawks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vEr_X7QWbMsNfyV71V64-OeTU2M=/0x0:3054x2036/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215383/1810689730.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>All signs point to adding a starting safety if the cost is right</p> <p id="tpNHwG">We’re about a week into free agency, and the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> have actively addressed their defensive line needs and special teams depth.</p>
<p id="sm8eb6">As we head into the second wave of free agency, let’s take a look at who the Niners have lost and added based on how the 2025 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> compensatory formula works:</p>
<p id="1IF65F"><strong>Gains (4)</strong></p>
<p id="lSfLuo">Edge Leonard Floyd<br>Edge Yetur Gross-Matos<br>DT Jordan Elliott<br>CB Isaac Yiadom</p>
<p id="rI1Brz"><strong>Losses (7)</strong></p>
<p id="gudkM9">QB Sam Darnold<br>TE Charlie Woerner<br>DT Javon Kinlaw<br>Edge Clelin Ferrell<br>WR Ray-Ray McCloud<br>LB Oren Purks<br>OT Matt Pryor</p>
<p id="tIR82H">San Francisco is in a prime position to receive multiple comp picks next season since it has lost more than it has gained in free agency. <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/17/24104150/49ers-free-agency-news-ezekiel-turner-linebacker-special-teams">Linebackers like</a> Ezekiel Turner and <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/15/24102044/chase-lucas-deommodore-lenoir-49ers-lions-free-agency">nickel cornerback</a> Chase Lucas are players who should make a difference on special teams, <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/15/24102037/jon-feliciano-spencer-burford-49ers-free-agency">while re-signing</a> Jon Feliciano takes the pressure off the team from drafting a right guard in the first round.</p>
<p id="EqSAyW">The signings may be few and far between here on out, but plenty of talent is available, including veteran safeties who could <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/15/24101584/talanoa-hufanga-justin-simmons-justin-blackmon-quandre-diggs-49ers-free-agency">start and be an upgrade</a>.</p>
<h3 id="rspqJv">What second-wave free agency move should the 49ers make?</h3>
<p id="m3knVf">There’s no denying that fortune played a part in the 49ers making the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a>, but the most dominant team during the regular season has few holes to fill. That doesn’t mean the newly signed starters will be better than, say, Arik Armstead. </p>
<p id="LurZwh">Other players, such as De’Vondre Campbell, were brought in as a “band-aid” until Dre Greenlaw returns to full health — or a hedge in case he doesn’t.</p>
<p id="gNHhK0">Based on the 49ers' moves during the first phase of free agency, the team is preparing to take the best offensive tackle available. If a wide receiver falls — or a trade happens — or a top edge rusher drops, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Niners pounce on one of those top prospects.</p>
<p id="DzBWlM"><strong>My answer: </strong>The report that safety Talanoa Hufanga isn’t <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/15/24101584/talanoa-hufanga-justin-simmons-justin-blackmon-quandre-diggs-49ers-free-agency">guaranteed a starting spot in 2024</a> was eye-opening and a sign that the 49ers front office knows they can improve and sign a durable safety.</p>
<p id="xbvUYV">There have been plenty of safeties to sign through a week of free agency, but several starters are available with experience and a track record of playing good football.</p>
<p id="Yib4ky">Justin Simmons and Quandre Diggs are my two top options and two of the better free safeties in the NFL. Eddie Jackson isn’t the worst consolation, but he does have an injury history and is 30.</p>
<p id="Gcv0qa"><a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/denver-broncos/justin-simmons-19052/market-value/">Spotrac projects</a> Simmons's annual salary of around $11.1 million. The only other projection they have for a free agent safety is Micah Hyde, who is at $3.7 million.</p>
<p id="e5xg7D">Simmons or Diggs gives the 49ers a ballhawk, leader, and a player who is comfortable playing and excelling in multiple roles — which is needed if the plan is to evolve in the secondary under Nick Sorensen and with the assistance of Brandon Staley.</p>
<p id="BlKMEi">If the cost makes sense, the 49ers should add a safety this week.</p>
https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/18/24104407/justin-simmons-quandre-diggs-arik-armstead-jordan-elliott-49ers-free-agencyKyle Posey2024-03-18T07:30:00-07:002024-03-18T07:30:00-07:00Winners and losers from the first week of free agency
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<img alt="Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kZPkN9tEhGp_7rZ0Ft90Vb2zTSs=/0x0:8070x5380/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215133/1989197194.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The end of an era for Armstead opens the door for a trio of signings</p> <p id="cGF43k">The <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> opened the negotiation period with a bang last Monday, re-signing quarterback Brandon Allen and giving him an early edge to be QB2.</p>
<p id="h7KzMA">Since then, the 49ers have been busy, signing eight new players—all on the defensive side of the ball—while re-signing eight more to return to the team in 2024 as of Sunday afternoon. But while there are plenty of incoming players, San Francisco has to deal with eight outgoing players, some more important than others.</p>
<p id="cnDl0H">With plenty of movement in the first week of free agency, these are the four early winners and losers for the 49ers:</p>
<p id="EB54sg"><strong>Loser: the end of the Arik Armstead era</strong></p>
<p id="7308jE">There were two years between the post-Jim Harbaugh era and the pre-Kyle Shanahan era, with then-general manager Trent Baalke drafting 21 players to the 49ers. Of those 21 players, six played snaps in 2023. And of those six to play snaps last season, only one played his entire career up until then with the 49ers.</p>
<p id="w6enVu">Arik Armstead’s nine-year career with San Francisco ended unceremoniously last week, with the two sides unable to agree on a contract restructure. While his numbers didn’t always pop the box score, Armstead always had a leader-like presence on the defense and the team, earning captaincy in four seasons, including 2023.</p>
<p id="0zMIXS">It was a sudden end for both sides, but it made sense. Keeping a <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a>-caliber team together for as long as the 49ers have is challenging in a salary-capped league, leading to difficult decisions. Armstead recognized his value and found that with the <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>, signing a three-year deal worth up to $51 million. It’s an unfortunate ending to a promising era of 49ers football, but one that made sense for both sides. </p>
<p id="xt7Xap"><strong>Winner: the 49ers pass rush</strong></p>
<p id="oFnEjy">I said it when the 49ers signed Randy Gregory and again when the Chase Young trade happened. Ideally, the third time is the charm: Leonard Floyd has the chance to be the best pass rusher opposite Nick Bosa the 49ers have had since Dee Ford. </p>
<p id="oT64PS">After multiple attempts to shore up the spot during the 2023 season, the result was a handful of sacks and questions of effort from Bosa’s fellow <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> alums. After years of trying less-established names like Arden Key, Charles Omenihu, and Samson Ebukam, who gave San Francisco production, the 49ers finally swung for the fences with Floyd’s signing. </p>
<p id="q7lsLw">Outside of Floyd, the 49ers added 12 2023 sacks to the 2024 defensive line with three moves by signing Yetur Gross Matos (4.5 sacks in 2023) and Jordan Elliott (2.5) and trading for Maliek Collins (5). While there was a slight improvement stats-wise from the pass rush from 2022 - 48 sacks and a 7.2 sack percentage in 2023 compared to 44 and 6.9 in 2022 - most of the production came from Bosa and Javon Hargrave. The 49ers saw it as an issue and found a solution in Floyd and others, almost over-compensating to solve the need. </p>
<p id="6ri2X4"><strong>Loser: the run-stopping portion of the defensive line</strong></p>
<p id="uavOYB">With all the pass-rush talent added, the 49ers ignored the run-stopping portion of the defensive line in the first week of free agency. Armstead’s loss was planned, but Clelin Ferrell’s loss might not have been. This leaves two gaps in the 49ers’ run defense, and San Francisco hasn’t done much to address them yet. </p>
<p id="qoAaNA">In the 12 games before Armstead’s foot and knee injuries that would keep him out of the last five games of the regular season, the 49ers run defense allowed 79 yards per game. In the previous five games of the regular season without Armstead, it allowed an average of 97 rushing yards per game. Even with the return of Armstead, who was still dealing with his injuries, the 49ers allowed an average of 168.7 rushing yards per game in three playoff games. </p>
<p id="aJGTM9">While San Francisco has added plenty of names to the defensive line, the run stop feels lacking. Ferrell will be easier to replace than Armstead, with Matos-Gross having a decent season against the run last season. Still, Elliott and Collins finished 68th and 71st in PFF run defense grades in 2023 of 79 defensive tackles to play at least 450 snaps in 2023, and that’s a big gap left by Armstead to replace. San Francisco has ten picks to address the spot in April’s draft, but it’s hard to feel optimistic about the 49ers run defense in the early goings of the offseason. </p>
<p id="Lj3rmp"><strong>Winner: Depth</strong></p>
<p id="qj26cL">While the Floyd signing was the only big splash for the 49ers in free agency so far, San Francisco used free agency and re-signings to get some depth on both sides of the ball. </p>
<p id="5exliv">One of the more important players for the 49ers to bring back was guard Jon Feliciano, who re-signed with San Francisco on Friday. Feliciano was brought in as offensive line depth last offseason but found himself in a platoon at right guard with Spencer Burford in the second half of the season.</p>
<p id="E1EWvx">The 49ers also extended the lineman to Feliciano’s right, Colton McKivitiz, through next season, bringing back its starting right tackle for what could be a lesser role in 2024. The offense also brought back Chris Conley and Ben Bartch, who added more depth to their positions. </p>
<p id="iYzL2L">The 49ers have been much more active on the defensive side of the ball, bringing in De’Vondre Campbell, Chase Lucas, and Isaac Yiadom, in addition to Floyd, Gross-Matos, Collins, and Elliott, shoring up all levels of the defense. With Dre Greenlaw suffering his injury during the Super Bowl, the 49ers had a sudden opening at linebacker, where Campbell now has a chance to make an impact.</p>
<p id="7U64lG">The Yiadom signing gives the 49ers a tall cornerback who can play out wide across from Charvarius Ward and permanently move Deommodore Lenoir to the slot, giving San Francisco an answer at corner after a season of uncertainty and plenty of movement. </p>
<p id="mCcjcj">With a team that deals with injuries as much as the 49ers do, depth never hurts, and this offseason so far has been used to make San Francisco a deeper team. </p>
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https://www.ninersnation.com/2024/3/18/24104386/arik-armstead-isaac-yiadom-yetur-gross-matos-jordan-elliott-49ers-free-agencyAndrew Pasquini