SANTA CLARA – Intentionally or not, the 49ers’ offseason changes could Mahomes-proof their defense. They sure wouldn’t mind finding out in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans next Feb. 9.
After losing the Super Bowl last month to the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes for a second time in five years, the 49ers certainly have shaken things up, and yet, they’ve retained some of the NFL’s best defenders.
Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Fred Warner and Charvarius Ward all earned Pro Bowl recognition last year, and all return under Nick Sorensen, who will take over as defensive coordinator once the 49ers announce coach Kyle Shanahan’s staff changes beyond last month’s firing of Steve Wilks.
That defense is coming into clearer focus over a week into free agency. More additions are coming, more likely in next month’s draft than an on-the-cheap veteran.
Here is how the 49ers’ depth chart appears:
Defensive end
WHO’S HERE
Nick Bosa
Leonard Floyd
Yetur Gross-Matos
Drake Jackson
Robert Beal
Austin Bryant
Alex Barrett
Earnest Brown IV
Raymond Johnson III
Sam Okuayinonu
WHO LEFT
Clelin Ferrell (Commanders)
Chase Young (Saints)
Randy Gregory (free agency)
ANALYSIS
It’s time for another edition of The 49ers’ Dating Game, where they try to arrange a perfect pairing between Bosa and another defensive end. This year’s has led them to Floyd, a nine-year veteran seeking his second Super Bowl ring. Gross-Matos, this month’s other acquisition, might thrive leaving Carolina’s doldrums. If Jackson can produce like his three-sack season opener and finally put forth a full season, then it’ll be a welcome surprise. Perhaps the 49ers will be compelled to chase another pass rusher with their first-round pick (No. 31 overall) rather than rely so heavily on auditioning the current crew.
Defensive tackle
WHO’S HERE
Javon Hargrave
Maliek Collins
Jordan Elliott
Kevin Givens
T.Y. McGill
Kalia Davis
Spencer Waege
WHO LEFT
Arik Armstead (Jaguars)
Javon Kinlaw (Jets)
Sebastian Joseph-Day (Titans)
ANALYSIS
The defensive interior will take on a more diminutive look without Armstead (6-foot-7) and Kinlaw (6-5). This unit has undergone the 49ers’ biggest turnover, and they may not be done after trading for Collins, signing Elliott, bringing back Givens and hoping Davis stays healthy. It will be interesting to see if the 49ers make their front-four pressure more unpredictable and the interior makeover could play into that. Hargrave didn’t exactly pay off as last year’s blockbuster signing but he drew Pro Bowl honors with seven sacks (the most by any 49er other than Bosa since 2020).
Linebackers
WHO’S HERE
Fred Warner
Dre Greenlaw
De’Vondre Campbell
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
Ezekiel Turner
Curtis Robinson
Dee Winters
Jalen Graham
WHO LEFT
Oren Burks (Eagles)
ANALYSIS
While Greenlaw recovers from his Achilles tear in the Super Bowl, the 49ers shouldn’t be inclined to rush him back, be it for Week 1 or midseason. Once Eric Kendricks backed out of a verbal deal and defected to Dallas, the 49ers’ search for a starting-caliber linebacker led them elsewhere. Campbell recently posted on Instagram that the Packers “badly misused” him, presumably after his 2021 rookie year in which he made All-Pro with 146 tackles. Flannigan-Fowles and Robinson are seasoned in the 49ers’ system, but the 49ers were reluctant to give Winters and Graham much of a shot as 2023 rookies. Turner’s special teams prowess helps offset Burks’ exit to Philly.
Cornerbacks
WHO’S HERE
Charvarius Ward
Deommodore Lenoir
Ambry Thomas
Darrell Luter Jr.
Sam Womack
Chase Lucas
Isaac Yiadom
Kemon Hall
WHO LEFT
None
ANALYSIS
While Ward blossomed into a first-time Pro Bowler, Lenoir established himself as an aggressive starter. Lenoir has the wherewithal to play in the slot, and the 49ers may still need to do that if another outside starter does not emerge, or if Lucas and others aren’t up to the nickel role inside while Lenoir stays at right cornerback. The 49ers have been high on Luter, minus his Super Bowl punt gaffe. It has been a decade since this franchise drafted a cornerback in the first round, and that was Jimmie Ward, who saw himself more as a safety than a converted nickel. It’s been 20 years since a cornerback came in the second round (Shawntae Spencer).
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Safeties
WHO’S HERE
Talanoa Hufanga
Ji’Ayir Brown
George Odum
Erik Harris
Tayler Hawkins
WHO LEFT
Tashaun Gipson (free agent)
Logan Ryan (free agent)
ANALYSIS
It wouldn’t be shocking if the 49ers kept shopping for a starting-caliber safety, and the market is bloated with them: Justin Simmons (Broncos), Eddie Jackson (Bears), Quandre Diggs (Seahawks), Micah Hyde (Bills) and Gipson, presuming he isn’t retiring after two seasons on the 49ers. Any would be, at minimum, insurance for Hufanga’s comeback from December knee surgery, or possibly an upgrade over Brown, whose three interceptions as a rookie included one in the Super Bowl against Mahomes. Odum’s return will help most on special teams.