![]() ![]() Marcelino McCrary-Ball: The 49ers loved his work on the practice squad last season and consider the speedy linebacker to be one of three young candidates to take Al-Shaair’s former spot. Flannigan-Fowles is a trusted veteran who can provide linebacker depth in case none of the 49ers’ youngsters at the position pan out. The 49ers improved markedly on special teams last season with Burks playing a key role on their coverage units.ĭemetrius Flannigan-Fowles: His 18 special teams tackles ranked second in the NFL last season. Oren Burks: He’s a special teams standout and a good fallback option for the 49ers’ third linebacker spot because Azeez Al-Shaair is no longer with the team. The 49ers saved some money by re-signing Greenlaw early last season his cap hit of only $5.5 million in 2023 can be considered a bargain. (Kyle Terada / USA Today)ĭre Greenlaw: Kyle Shanahan thinks Greenlaw looks like Mike Tyson, so it’s fitting the linebacker trained in the boxing ring this offseason. The 49ers are paying Davidson the minimum and hoping that he emerges into useful depth at defensive tackle.įred Warner is in his own category at linebacker with his ability to provide pass coverage down the field. Marlon Davidson: The 2020 second-round pick of the Falcons hasn’t played since undergoing knee surgery last year. McGill: He quietly gave the 49ers about 200 decent snaps on the interior last season, so there’s a chance McGill hangs around the building again in 2023. But the former Clemson standout, who was college teammates with Ferrell on a monstrous D-line that won a national title at Levi’s Stadium in January 2019, believes Kocurek can help unlock his NFL potential. The 32-year-old Hyder is a savvy vet who can fill voids at tackle and end for the 49ers.Īustin Bryant: Injuries limited Bryant’s production to begin his career in Detroit. Kerry Hyder Jr.: The relationship with Kocurek here goes back to the 2015 season in Detroit. He missed all of 2022 recovering from a torn ACL but should now have a chance to showcase what might be a unique skill set. But that’s the position switch that Davis made in college. Kalia Davis: It’s extremely rare to see an inside linebacker become a defensive tackle. Beal must now turn that physical potential into actual production. Robert Beal Jr.: In this rookie, Kocurek has a player whose physical profile perfectly matches what he’s looking for in the speed-rushing department. Teams need these types of veterans to fill out the margins, and that’s why the 49ers re-signed Givens to a $2 million deal. Kevin Givens: He’ll never be a star, but the 49ers have developed Givens into a reliable D-lineman capable of giving them 400 solid snaps per season. Why the 49ers' offseason D-line investment could prompt a return to pass-rush dominance At the very least, the team believes Ferrell can set rigid edges against the run on base downs. A true 2023 jump from Jackson could turn the D-line into an overwhelming force.Ĭlelin Ferrell: He didn’t muster much production as a pass rusher with the Raiders, but then again, neither did Arden Key, who turned his career around under 49ers’ D-line coach Kris Kocurek in 2021. Extra muscle has been necessary after Jackson ran out of steam, especially against the run, last season. It’s also needed for cost efficiency, as Armstead’s $24 million cap hit is the team’s highest on defense.ĭrake Jackson: The second-year defensive end looks significantly stronger after adding about 15 pounds this offseason. A full season of Armstead can unlock a fruitful season for the 49ers’ defensive line. And making a good roster better becomes increasingly difficult.īut the 49ers knew - just like when they added Christian McCaffrey - that signing Javon Hargrave was a move they had to make at this stage. The price tag of success only grows in the NFL. The 49ers believe Hargrave’s explosive presence is just what their D-line needs for a return to dominance. Hargrave has ranked among the NFL’s top three defensive tackles in pass-rush win rate over the past two seasons. Javon Hargrave: He wasn’t pleased about his Madden rating last week - an 84, 17th among defensive tackles - and it’s easy to see why. The size of Bosa’s bank account should also soon change. What made Bosa’s 18 1/2-sack 2022 season all the more remarkable was the lack of help the 49ers provided at defensive tackle - a dynamic that should change this year. Nick Bosa: He’s the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and for good reason. What can we expect from Nick Bosa now that he’ll be playing alongside Javon Hargrave? How strong is the 49ers’ cornerback depth? How might they squeeze value out of their roster on special teams? At least some answers to all those questions are below. ![]()
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