Niners Nation
The Niners have a number of holes to fill defensively, thanks to a couple of key free agents.
The San Francisco 49ers have a number of key free agents this offseason, specifically on the defensive side of the ball, as they enter what will be a couple of crucial months for the franchise.
While returns for a couple of key players could still be in play, the 49ers could look very different defensively in 2025, and they’ll have opportunities to get quality pieces, be it in free agency or the draft.
So, where could the 49ers have some new starters on defense in 2025? Yesterday, we looked at the offense, and now, let’s take a look at the defense.
One of the bigger areas of change could come along the defensive line for the 49ers, where only star defensive end Nick Bosa is guaranteed a starting spot in 2025.
Across from Bosa are 2024 free agent signees Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos, but both players had inconsistent play in their various roles this past season. San Francisco is in a prime position to add a defensive talent with their first or second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and could look to add a partner for Bosa on the edge for the future.
Now, due to their contract structures, Floyd and Gross-Matos seem to be set with the 49ers in 2025. But, San Francisco has an affinity for the position, and this draft has a number of talented early-round defensive ends, leading to a possible addition there.
At defensive tackle, the 49ers may even need two starters in 2025, but Maliek Collins is slated to return on a fairly cheap cap hit after San Francisco restructured his deal last offseason.
Defensive tackle could very well be a target as well in the first or second round of the draft, and is a priority for the defense, as San Francisco struggled to defend the run for much of the 2024 season. Adding a space-eater up the middle, be it in free agency or via the draft, is a must this offseason.
San Francisco is set with their top middle linebacker as Fred Warner is coming back and should be healthy after dealing with a fractured ankle for much of the 2024 season. In fact, Warner could be an extension candidate with a cap hit of $26.7 million in 2025 and two years left on his contract.
But, the other two linebacker spots may be up for grabs. Dre Greenlaw and De’Vondre Campbell are free agents. The 49ers seem to have interest in bringing the former back, while there’s no chance the latter returns.
If Greenlaw comes back, it would likely be on a one-year prove-it deal for him to get a year playing fully healthy before hitting the open market for his next contract. But, there are some intriguing options on the market, such as New York’s Jamien Sherwood, that the 49ers deem as better pickups...
