The 49ers had a busy few days to start out the 2023 free company interval. Regardless of restricted room to operated beneath the cap, San Francisco made a splash with former Eagles DT Javon Hargrave, after which made a handful of different strikes to fill out some key spots on their roster. Additionally they re-signed just a few of their very own gamers – a few of whom will tackle new roles in 2023.
We went via every of the signings and re-signings to mission how the 49ers’ free company strikes would possibly influence the workforce this season:
(Picture by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Pictures)
That is a straightforward one. Hargrave figures to start out and play heavy snaps alongside Arik Armstead within the inside of the 49ers’ line of defense. He’s good towards the run and a dominant move rusher from the within. There is probably not a extra impactful free agent addition wherever within the NFL this offseason.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports activities
There’s a world the place Darnold wears a number of hats for San Francisco this season, however he’ll start the offseason because the backup quarterback behind Trey Lance whereas Brock Purdy rehabs from offseason elbow surgical procedure. Lance is the clear frontrunner for the beginning job whereas Purdy’s out, but it surely’s not inconceivable that Darnold pushes for that spot if Lance doesn’t take a step ahead in his growth. If all goes properly for the 49ers although and all three of their QBs are wholesome, Darnold figures to be third on the depth chart.
(Picture by Ezra Shaw/Getty Pictures)
Oliver struggled via his first three NFL seasons whereas enjoying on the surface. A transfer inside for the 2021 season got here with some success earlier than he suffered a season-ending ACL tear through the fourth sport of the season. Problems with that ACL tear final 12 months held him out for 5 video games, however the 12 video games he did play had been his finest as a professional. He’ll be the frontrunner for the beginning nickel job in San Francisco, however there needs to be some competitors there with second-year CB Samuel Womack.
(Picture by Ethan Miller/Getty Pictures)
It’s straightforward to attract a line between Arden Key, Charles Omenihu and Clelin Ferrell. Key revitalized his profession in San Francisco by taking up a move speeding position the place he performed each inside and on the sting. Omenihu acquired a large contract in free company from the Chiefs due to enjoying that very same position for the 49ers. Now Ferrell figures to step in equally. In Las Vegas he spent a bit time at defensive sort out, however he was very a lot a standard edge rusher. That figures to vary some in San Francisco with a extra versatile position the place he strikes round on the line of defense.
(AP Picture/Scot Tucker)
McKivitz signed a two-year deal earlier than the authorized negotiating window opened. The 2020 fifth-round decide is the frontrunner for the beginning proper sort out job and he might not have a ton of competitors. At finest he begins the season at RT changing Mike McGlinchey. At worst he’s a swing sort out with a bit little bit of versatility to play on the inside.
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports activities
The beginning free security job is Gipson’s for the 2023 season. He led the workforce with 5 interceptions this 12 months and for essentially the most half performed properly within the again finish of San Francisco’s secondary. Barring a dramatic change in his play or the fast rise of an unknown addition, Gipson will man the spot alongside Talanoa Hufanga once more.
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports activities
Jennings was an unique rights free agent so there was by no means actually a state of affairs the place he was going to depart the 49ers. He’ll be again in the identical third broad receiver position this 12 months. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if he can carve out a much bigger purple zone position after hauling in only one TD final season. He’ll at the very least be a third-down menace once more, which is actually all of the 49ers want from him. Something extra could be gravy in an already loaded offensive arsenal.
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports activities
It’d be an enormous shock if anybody apart from Brendel begins at heart this 12 months. He performed properly in all 17 video games a season in the past and acquired a pleasant payday from the 49ers on a four-year contract. Brendel is their reply in the midst of the offensive line for the foreseeable future.
Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports activities
Givens was due for restricted free company, however agreed to a one-year cope with San Francisco. He’ll slot again in as a rotational defensive sort out, though he might wind up as the highest reserve behind Hargrave relying on how Javon Kinlaw appears via the offseason and coaching camp.
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports activities
One of many 49ers’ camp battles will happen on the Sam linebacker spot – that’s the LB on the sector when San Francisco is in its base 4-3 protection. Azeez Al-Shaair crammed that position earlier than signing with the Titans this offseason. Flannigan-Fowles is the frontrunner to tackle that job, however veteran Oren Burks will probably be within the combine, and it wouldn’t be an enormous shock if the 49ers add one other LB by way of the draft to compete for that spot.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities
McGill was a nice shock in 9 video games for the 49ers final season. His job in 2023 figures to be the identical because it was on the finish of 2022. He may even see a extra common enjoying time this season although. Final 12 months his snap counts ranged from seven to 38. This 12 months anticipate it to be a bit extra common.