The San Francisco 49ers have become a franchise that’s unafraid to take big swings during free agency, all to deliver a Super Bowl-caliber roster.
In the era of general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, the Niners have completed midseason trades for past Pro Bowlers Chase Young and Christian McCaffrey, while also using March to lure in Charvarius Ward and Javon Hargrave.
But how aggressive were the 49ers during this free agency cycle? We’re breaking down each move the 49ers made this offseason and determining how it’ll affect their upcoming title hopes for 2024.
Who Did the San Francisco 49ers Sign in Free Agency?
Coming off a gut-wrenching Super Bowl loss, the 49ers deferred from making a big splash in free agency, a far cry from last offseason, when they made a big addition by signing Hargrave.
While they would receive a higher grade if they made a blockbuster move for an edge rusher like Brian Burns or Josh Allen, they still made some solid additions at positions of need.
Additionally, for a team that came up just short of winning the Super Bowl last season, the 49ers’ roster from 2023 is mostly intact, especially with core players.
Overall grade: B+
49ers Make a Pair of Additions at EDGE
The defending NFC champions had needs to address after watching Super Bowl 58 slip away from them. It began in the edge-rush room, which got ravaged in free agency.
Coming off a 10.5-sack season for the Buffalo Bills, which matches his career high, Leonard Floyd signed a two-year, $24 million deal with the 49ers. With this signing, the Niners are hoping they’ll get the same production from Floyd when he was in the NFC West playing for the Los Angeles Rams — where he had three consecutive seasons of nine or more sacks.
Floyd wasn’t the only intriguing edge addition. Yetur Gross-Matos comes equipped with versatility as an outside linebacker and defensive end. San Francisco is getting a fellow towering 6’5″ defender who’s coming off a career-high seven tackles for a loss with the Carolina Panthers in 2023.
The edge rusher spot is a position of importance for the 49ers, given the need to take pressure off Nick Bosa. The 49ers scored two underrated, but impactful, names to bring Bosa help.
Overall grade: A
Maliek Collins Becomes Pivotal 49ers Trade Addition
Sticking with the 49ers’ front line, the franchise needed to provide help for another integral piece in the trenches in Hargrave, especially in the wake of Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw leaving via free agency.
The 49ers responded by trading for a savvy interior defensive lineman in Maliek Collins.
While not considered a household name among pure defensive tackles, Collins has established himself as his own model of consistency when called upon. He’s produced eight or nine tackles for a loss in each of the last three seasons.
Furthermore, he’s already familiar with the 49ers’ scheme. His 2023 head coach DeMeco Ryans ran an identical attack for Collins and the other defenders on the Houston Texans. Collins matched his past career high of five sacks.
It’s hard to replace Armstead given his height, versatility, and leadership. But Collins has a history of becoming his own pass-rushing disruption — making him a solid complementary piece paired with Hargrave.
Overall grade: B+
Jordan Elliott in Mix To Provide Interior Defensive Line Help
Collins wasn’t the only veteran addition for the inside of the 49ers’ defensive line. The team is bringing in another veteran, Jordan Elliott, on a two-year, $10 million deal.
While Collins is more of an interior pass-rushing option, the 6’4″, 305-pound Elliott could be viewed more as a run-plugger for this defense. He’s delivered a combined eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage the past two seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
And just like Collins, Elliott comes from his own 49ers-like structure in that of the Browns’ defense. Cleveland ran similar alignments with its defensive linemen and predominantly deployed a four-man rush.
Elliott should have no issue adjusting to this defensive line room.
Overall grade: B
The “Passtronaut” Josh Dobbs Lands in San Francisco
Flipping over to the most important position to address on offense, Brock Purdy was in need of backup help. Well-traveled veteran Sam Darnold left and is off to the Minnesota Vikings.
In response, the 49ers reeled in another journeyman, Josh Dobbs, who was with Darnold’s new team for part of last season, to compete with the re-signed Brandon Allen for the No. 2 job.
Known for his love of astronomy, “The Passtronaut” brings more mobility compared to his predecessor in the Bay Area. Dobbs even produced his best game against the 49ers while with the Arizona Cardinals — a 265-yard, two-touchdown afternoon on Oct. 1 in the 35-16 S.F. win.
The downside with Dobbs is his own injury history. But if Purdy were to go down, the 49ers have someone who’s capable of extending plays with his legs while striking downfield.
Overall grade: B
Linebacker Spot Adds Familiar Face but Lost Out on Pro Bowler
Outside of Armstead, the only other big loss on the Niners’ side was a last-minute decision made by Eric Kendricks.
Just when it looked like the Pro Bowl inside linebacker was off to the 49ers, he reversed course and opted to rejoin his former Vikings coach Mike Zimmer with the Dallas Cowboys.
In response, the 49ers re-signed a familiar face in Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles on a one-year deal. He’s been trusted as a special teamer and fill-in for Dre Greenlaw.
However, the 2021 All-Pro De’Vondre Campbell is the big addition to this room. While he’s yet to match his ’21 form given his own knee ailments, he’s still a significant veteran addition who has a strong background in weak-side LB play.
Overall grade: B+
Offensive Trench Help Returning
The offensive side of the ball needed its own veteran depth. One player is back on a one-year deal.
Jon Feliciano comes back to man right guard and has been lauded by fans for his pass-protection ability. Brandon Parker becomes the newest OL addition via the Las Vegas Raiders.
In the case of Parker, he has 33 starts over the course of five years and played in a blocking scheme similar to that of the Niners.
Overall grade: B
Secondary Turning to Nickel Help
Isaiah Oliver was a failed experiment at nickelback and departed the 49ers. Now, Chase Lucas comes in to fill the nickelback role.
KEEP READING: San Francisco 49ers News, March 22
The 49ers have had trouble with this spot. Jimmie Ward was moved here before signing with the Texans and experienced struggles. Oliver was picked apart in numerous games. Lucas also brings a special teams background.
Meanwhile, George Odum gets lured back on a two-year deal — which is huge for the special teams and safety depth as Talanoa Hufanga returns following his ACL tear of 2023.
Overall grade: B
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