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The San Francisco 49ers were active early in free agency this season with a handful of free agency signings and a trade that bolstered their defensive front.
Where does that group fit into a roster that is undergoing some significant changes for the second season in a row?
Here's a quick look at how each player could fit into the depth chart:
Evans will at the very least open the season as the 49ers' No. 1 wide receiver. Ricky Pearsall figures to slot in alongside him, but the future Hall of Famer has enough left in the tank to be a more productive version of 2024 and 2025 leading WR Jauan Jennings.
The Greenlaw addition is tough news for Dee Winters. Winters broke out last season as the starting Will LB, but Greenlaw's arrival could mean Winters moves to a Sam LB or reserve role. If Greenlaw has lost a step since he was last with the 49ers in 2024, then the team may try to move him to Sam. Either way it looks like Greenlaw will be one of the team's top three LBs entering the season.
San Francisco acquired Odighizuwa in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys. He'll start at defensive tackle, likely alongside second-year DT Alfred Collins. Odighizuwa won't likely be on the field for every snap, but his role should be significant.
Where Kirk falls in the receiving corps depends on a couple of factors. The 49ers could wind up selecting a wide receiver in Round 1 of the draft, which would likely push Kirk to the No. 4 WR spot. He could also fall there if the 49ers don't draft a WR and second-year WR Jordan Watkins breaks out or veteran Demarcus Robinson proves to be a better option. For now, Kirk appears to be in line for the No. 3 WR role.
Lowe is an interesting signing because his role could change pretty dramatically at some point in the near future. The former New England offensive tackle has 25 starts in 46 games across four NFL seasons. He entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2022 draft. Lowe is in line to be a swing tackle. He could quickly become an important piece of their starting group if Trent Williams' contract situation isn't resolved by the time the regular season begins, or whenever the 37-year-old Williams hangs up his pads.
There's a chance Jones wins the starting left guard job after Ben Bartch and Spencer Burford left in free agency. At worst Jones figures to be a versatile interior depth piece. However, with 30 starts under his belt he's the most experienced OL the 49ers have who would be in the mix to start at LG.
Don't be surprised if Toth gets in a battle with Jones for the starting left guard spot. And don't be surprised if he wins. Second-year OL Connor Colby could be in the mix as well, but there's not a ton of quality at the position so Toth will have a real opportunity to break through and start. If not, he figures to be a regular reserve on the interior.
He's the punter. He punts.
More 49ers: Ex-Niner warns Ricky Pearsall is losing his chance to become a WR1
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers offseason: Where free agents, trade acquisitions fit on roster
Continue reading...
Where does that group fit into a roster that is undergoing some significant changes for the second season in a row?
Here's a quick look at how each player could fit into the depth chart:
WR Mike Evans
Evans will at the very least open the season as the 49ers' No. 1 wide receiver. Ricky Pearsall figures to slot in alongside him, but the future Hall of Famer has enough left in the tank to be a more productive version of 2024 and 2025 leading WR Jauan Jennings.
LB Dre Greenlaw
The Greenlaw addition is tough news for Dee Winters. Winters broke out last season as the starting Will LB, but Greenlaw's arrival could mean Winters moves to a Sam LB or reserve role. If Greenlaw has lost a step since he was last with the 49ers in 2024, then the team may try to move him to Sam. Either way it looks like Greenlaw will be one of the team's top three LBs entering the season.
DT Osa Odighizuwa
San Francisco acquired Odighizuwa in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys. He'll start at defensive tackle, likely alongside second-year DT Alfred Collins. Odighizuwa won't likely be on the field for every snap, but his role should be significant.
WR Christian Kirk
Where Kirk falls in the receiving corps depends on a couple of factors. The 49ers could wind up selecting a wide receiver in Round 1 of the draft, which would likely push Kirk to the No. 4 WR spot. He could also fall there if the 49ers don't draft a WR and second-year WR Jordan Watkins breaks out or veteran Demarcus Robinson proves to be a better option. For now, Kirk appears to be in line for the No. 3 WR role.
OL Vederian Lowe
Lowe is an interesting signing because his role could change pretty dramatically at some point in the near future. The former New England offensive tackle has 25 starts in 46 games across four NFL seasons. He entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2022 draft. Lowe is in line to be a swing tackle. He could quickly become an important piece of their starting group if Trent Williams' contract situation isn't resolved by the time the regular season begins, or whenever the 37-year-old Williams hangs up his pads.
OL Robert Jones
There's a chance Jones wins the starting left guard job after Ben Bartch and Spencer Burford left in free agency. At worst Jones figures to be a versatile interior depth piece. However, with 30 starts under his belt he's the most experienced OL the 49ers have who would be in the mix to start at LG.
OL Brett Toth
Don't be surprised if Toth gets in a battle with Jones for the starting left guard spot. And don't be surprised if he wins. Second-year OL Connor Colby could be in the mix as well, but there's not a ton of quality at the position so Toth will have a real opportunity to break through and start. If not, he figures to be a regular reserve on the interior.
P Corliss Waitman
He's the punter. He punts.
More 49ers: Ex-Niner warns Ricky Pearsall is losing his chance to become a WR1
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers offseason: Where free agents, trade acquisitions fit on roster
Continue reading...
