SANTA CLARA — Robert Saleh’s return as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator could start a trend of reunions.
Next week’s start of free agency offers a slew of ex-49ers defenders, not to mention a handful of players Saleh coached with the Jets the previous four seasons.
It also offers a chance for Nick Bosa to join forces on the defensive line with his older brother Joey, who got released Wednesday after nine seasons with the Chargers. Their mom Cheryl is so in favor of a family reunion that she posted an Instagram story looking to start a petition to get her sons together “in the bay.”
The 49ers can’t afford to skimp on defense, not after that unit bombed last season under one-and-done defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, who followed the one-year tenure of Steve Wilks. That said, their biggest offseason splurge figures to be on offense with quarterback Brock Purdy’s extension.
Strengthening the defensive line is a must, while starting spots could be had at linebacker, cornerback and safety, either via free agency or next month’s draft. Negotiations can begin Monday, with signings as early as Wednesday for free agents, although Bosa can sign now.
Veterans that Saleh and/or the 49ers have familiarity with include defensive tackles D.J. Jones, Solomon Thomas and Javon Kinlaw; defensive ends Clelin Ferrell, Charles Omenihu and Chase Young; and, cornerback D.J. Reed.
DEFENSIVE END
UNDER CONTRACT
Nick Bosa, Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos, Robert Beal, Drake Jackson, Jonathan Garvin, Tarron Jackson
49ERS’ FREE AGENTS
Sam Okuayinonu (exclusive rights; tendered), Alex Barrett (exclusive rights; tendered)
OUTSIDE OPTIONS
Josh Sweat, Khalil Mack, Demarcus Lawrence, Clelin Ferrell, Charles Omenihu, Matt Judon, Chase Young, Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Dante Fowler, Darrell Taylor, Baron Browning, Dayo Odeyingbo, Azeez Ojulari, Josh Uche, Marcus Davenport
ANALYSIS: The most riveting storyline isn’t whether the 49ers will cull Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns’ clutches. Rather, it’s the possibility of signing Joey Bosa to pair him with younger brother Nick; the Chargers released Joey Bosa on Wednesday night and saved $25 million against their salary cap.
Signing Floyd and Gross-Matos to two-year deals last March may lessen the urge to sign a so-so defensive end this free agency. The 49ers obviously need a greater presence on the defensive line, and farming prospects out of the NFL Draft is the more likely path, starting with pick No. 11 on April 24.
Hasson Reddick’s early-season boycott of the Jets probably doesn’t lead him to Saleh’s defense this time around.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
UNDER CONTRACT
Maliek Collins, Jordan Elliott, Kalia Davis
49ERS FREE AGENTS
Javon Hargrave (release expected), Kevin Givens, Khalil Davis, Evan Anderson (exclusive rights; tendered)
OUTSIDE OPTIONS
D.J. Jones, Dre’Mont Jones, Sheldon Rankins, Milton Williams, Poona Ford, Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, Morgan Fox, Roy-Robertson-Harris, Demarcus Walker, Jarran Reed, Levi Onwuzurike, Austin Johnson, Greg Gaines, Folorunso Fatukasi, Maurice Hurst, Jonathan Bullard, BJ Hill
ANALYSIS: Replenishing depth and adding potential starters make this one of the most critical areas of need this offseason.
Hargrave’s release is expected so he can test the market two years after the 49ers made him their prized free agent acquisition. He didn’t live up to the big deal but he wasn’t a bust, producing nine sacks in 22 games (including playoffs) before a triceps tear three games into last season; he’s fully healthy now.
Bringing back D.J. Jones from his Denver layover makes for a logical reunion.
LINEBACKER
UNDER CONTRACT
Fred Warner, Dee Winter, Tatum Bethune, DaShaun White
49ERS FREE AGENTS
Dre Greenlaw, De’Vondre Campbell, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Curtis Robinson (restricted), Jalen Graham (exclusive rights; tendered)
OUTSIDE OPTIONS
Nick Bolton, Jamien Sherwood, Cody Barton, Ernest Jones IV, Bobby Wagner, Robert Spillane, Jerome Baker, Tyrel Dodson, Elandon Roberts, Devin Bush, Kyzir White, Derrick Barnes, Eric Kendricks, Jack Sanborn
ANALYSIS: A showdown is looming over All-Pro Fred Warner’s contract, which has two years remaining with non-guaranteed $17.7 million salaries. That business aside, the 49ers can not afford a repeat of last offseason’s mistakes at linebacker, when they failed to finish a deal with Kendricks and then signed De’Vondre Campbell to play ahead of Winters.
The 49ers likely will go bargain hunting because they simply can not pay big bucks to two linebackers.
So, with Warner’s cost, that could further lead to Greenlaw’s departure. Look, Greenlaw excelled as Warner’s wingman, up until an Achilles tear in the Super Bowl 14 months ago. His aborted comeback last season drives a legitimate concern for his long-term health, and as much as the 49ers love Greenlaw, free agency will reveal if another team is willing to pay more and gamble on his health.
Sherwood blossomed last season with the Jets, so Saleh knows his potential on defense – and special teams.
CORNERBACK
UNDER CONTRACT
Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Tre Avery, Darrell Luter Jr., Chase Lucas
49ERS FREE AGENTS
Charvarius Ward, Isaac Yiadom, Rock Ya-Sin, Nick McCloud
OUTSIDE OPTIONS
D.J. Reed, Carlton Davis, Byron Murphy Jr., Paulson Adebo, Rasul Douglas, Jeff Okudah, James Bradberry, Asante Samuel Jr., Mike Hilton, Jonathan Jones, Nate Hobbs, Jourdan Lewis, Eric Stokes, Noah Ibinoghene
ANALYSIS: The 49ers have anticipated Ward’s departure after three seasons and they telegraphed their intentions last year by extending Lenoir using a second-round pick on Green. But that depth chart needs help, and it’s enough to entice a proven veteran who may think he could win the starting job opposite Lenoir and ultimately hoist a trophy Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium.
Reed was a 2018 fifth-round pick who got snatched from the 49ers’ clutches when injured in 2020, and after proving his worth as a starter for Seattle, he hooked back up with Saleh on the Jets for the past three seasons.
Adebo, a Stanford product, had three interceptions and 10 pass breakups before a fractured femur in Week 7 last year.
SAFETY
UNDER CONTRACT
Malik Mustapha, Ji’Ayir Brown, George Odum, Jalen Mahoney
49ERS FREE AGENTS
Talanoa Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson
OUTSIDE OPTIONS
Justin Reid, Tre’von Moehrig, Elijah Molden, Jevon Holland, Ashtyn Davis, Jeremy Chinn, Justin Simmons, Julian Blackmon, Xavier Woods, Quandre Diggs, Andre Cisco, Rayshawn Jenkins, Harrison Smith
ANALYSIS: If he leaves, the 49ers must find a way to replace Hufanga’s positive spirit that galvanized the locker room even when he was sidelined for 17 games the last two seasons after being named a 2022 All-Pro.
The 49ers need more on-field production and threat out of whatever safety tandem they field. Mustapha’s hard hits certainly gained attention his rookie season.
Free agency typically isn’t kind to safeties, and if the 49ers stay true to their word that they’re not big spenders this year, then waiting out for a veteran or two might be their move.
SPECIALISTS
UNDER CONTRACT
Jake Moody (K), Mitch Wishnowsky (P), Taybor Pepper (LS)
49ERS FREE AGENT
Pat O’Donnell (P)
OUTSIDE OPTIONS
Nick Folk, Eddy Pineiro, Michael Badgley, Austin Seibert, Matt Prater, Zane Gonzalez, Joey Slye
ANALYSIS: Jake Moody’s sophomore slump came after a high-ankle sprain, which buys him time to compete for a third season as the 49ers’ kicker. Badgley and Seibert need to prove their health after injuries, and that is the type of veteran presence that could challenge Moody.
Folk led the NFL in field-goal percentage each of the past two seasons with the Titans. He overlapped with Brant Boyer’s first season as the New York Jets coordinator in 2016; Boyer is now entering his first season as the 49ers’.
At punter, Wishnowsky battled back and knee issues last season, and O’Donnell acquitted himself fine as a replacement. Wishnowsky carries a $2.2 million cap charge — $2 million if released – so odds are they’ll want to see how his health is before moving off him.