San Francisco 49ers Focus on Numbers to Rebuild Defensive Line in Free Agency

Mar 21, 2024, 2:46 p.m. ET

During free agency, San Francisco focused on numbers to address obvious holes on its defensive line

SANTA CLARA — In part because they had so many pending free agents, and also because they did not receive the expected reward from last year’s investment, the San Francisco 49ers They spent the first week of free agency rebuilding their defensive line.

In what was easily the biggest defensive line rebuild since head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch They arrived in 2017, the Niners agreed to contracts with three outside defensive linemen — the wings Leonard Floyd y Yetur Gross-Matosand the tackle Jordan Elliott–, they acquired another in trade (the tackle Maliek Collins), and they renewed one of their own (Kevin Givens).

Given the emphasis of Shanahan y Lynch On the strength of the defensive front, the moves should not be a surprise to anyone. But, instead of a name with a big name and shine, as the 49ers In previous free agency cycles, they now opted for quantity.

The San Francisco 49ers re-signed Kevin Givens (90), but said goodbye to Javon Kinlaw (99), Arik Armstead (91) and Clelin Ferrell (94) in recent days. Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

In doing so, San Francisco He not only rebuilt his defensive line. At the same time, the Niners They also rebuilt the middle class of a squad that had become top-heavy in recent years, with none of the players brought in earning more than $10 million annually.

“You have to trust what he’s doing here John Lynch when he is bringing these guys and the product he has brought to the field,” he stressed Collins.

While these 49ers have never shied away from big moves, particularly on the defensive front — just this offseason last year, they signed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to an agreement for four years and 84 million dollars– the flurry of transactions they have made on this occasion reflects a necessary change in philosophy.

Even amidst rumors that Niners They would bet everything on a free agent of the wing’s caliber Danielle Hunterthe most realistic path for San Francisco To shore up his defensive line was to create cap space by restructuring some of his biggest contracts, and then go shopping within the second layer of free agents.

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That’s exactly what they did. Ninersrestructuring the agreements of Hargravetight end George Kittle and the linebacker Fred Warner to free up nearly $27 million in cap space by agreeing to a modified deal with the fullback Kyle Juszczyk to save another 3.98 million. They also made the difficult decision to cut the defensive tackle Arik Armstead with post-June 1 designation, to eventually open up another $18 million in cap space.

A large portion of the cap space created by the Niners has already been distributed among the defensive line additions, along with the additions of players such as linebacker De’Vondre Campbellquarterback Joshua Dobbs and corner Isaac Yiadomin addition to the renewals of own players such as the guard Jon Felicianosafety George Odum y quarterback Brandon Allen.

But, the focal point for Niners has been to replace a group —Armstead, Chase Young, Randy Gregory, Clelin Ferrell, Javon Kinlaw y Sebastian Joseph-Day— who accounted for nearly 50 percent of defensive line plays in 2023.

The departure of Armstead is the one that hits the hardest, with the team and the nine-year veteran unable to agree to a deal that would allow him to return at a reduced price. Before the court of him, Armstead It was about to hit more than $28 million against next year’s salary cap. The trio of Gross-Matos, Elliott y Collins combine for an impact better than half that, $13.85 million, but there’s also the fact that filling the shoes of Armstead It will not be an easy task.

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“I don’t think you replace a player like Arik Armsteadthe person he is in the community, the person he is on the field,” he explained Collins. “I don’t think you replace that. I’m just here to add my skill set and bring what I can to the table.”

Hoping to play on the opposite side of the star wing Nick Bosa, Floyd He has 39.5 sacks over the past four seasons and, perhaps most importantly, has played in 108 consecutive games.

In other words, Floyd should be the best and most consistently available plugin for Bosa since it arrived in 2019. For Floydjoin the Niners It was an easy decision because of their track record of success and how quickly and aggressively they moved to convince him once the negotiating window opened.

“I knew this team was ready to reach a Super Bowl“, revealed Floyd. “I didn’t want to go to a team and not be in a position to play in the playoffs or win a championship, so I came here with aspirations to come in, help the defense, win games and get back to the big game.”

With respect to Gross-Matoslos Niners hope the 26-year-old can fill the versatile role that players like Arden Key y Charles Omenihu have played in recent years, lining up on the edge against the run and passing inside in obvious passing situations.

Collins is the favorite to take the place of Armstead in the starting lineup alongside Hargrave and offers a pressing ability that combines well with the ability to stop the run of Elliott. From 2021, Collins He ranks sixth among defensive tackles who have played at least 300 snaps with a pass-play win against block rate of 14 percent.

Elliott will, above all, have the task of replacing Kinlawwho signed with the New York Jets. Kinlaw He was the third defensive tackle of the Niners in 2023, capable of occupying either position. Elliott He will be the one who gets the first opportunity to do that, although his role could be more defined in race situations. He was No. 12 in the NFL in rushing stop rate (40 percent) last season.

Thanks to these additions, the Niners They are probably done making big moves on their defensive line, although the Niners They are always open to improving the unit, have filled several holes on the defensive line and could use the remainder of free agency to address other needs, possibly including a veteran safety.

What they did Niners in the first wave of free agency should allow them to pursue the best players available in the draft at offensive line, wide receiver and cornerback, all of which are considered deep positions in this draft.

as he said Collinsthe hope is that whoever arrives will have the opportunity to help the Niners to finally cross the finish line to take sixth Vince Lombardi Trophy of the franchise.

“This is a team that was in the Super Bowl last season,” he recalled Collins. “It’s about the team that was in the Super Bowl in 2019. Just seeing the success and seeing the NFC Championship Games and all that, I just wanted to reach out and help close that gap so I could get over that hurdle.”

2024-03-21 19:46:00
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