The Niners have some questions to figure out at defensive tackle.
Training camp is officially here, as the San Francisco 49ers will report on Tuesday to prepare for the start of the 2025 season, which is just around the corner.
It’ll be a much different 49ers roster this offseason, as several key veterans have headed elsewhere in the offseason, via trade, release, or free agency. Instead, it’ll be the influx of new talent from over the past few years taking over, as San Francisco looks to get younger.
Evaluating every team’s starting lineup ahead of the season, ESPN is still optimistic on the 49ers, ranking their roster at No. 10 in the NFL.
That ranked second in the division behind the Los Angeles Rams, who came in at No. 8. Here’s the full Top 10:
8. Los Angeles Rams
10. San Francisco 49ers
Previously, the 49ers had regularly been featured amongst the top teams in the NFL, thanks to one of the strongest rosters on both sides of the ball. Now, after all the turnover, what is the team’s biggest weakness amongst their starting lineup?
“Defensive tackle,” ESPN’s Mike Clay said. “I was tempted to go with the secondary, but the 49ers’ DT situation might be the worst in the league. Maliek Collins and Javon Hargrave signed elsewhere, and the team’s only impact additions were draft picks Alfred Collins (second round) and CJ West (fourth).
“Jordan Elliott (a rotational player) tops the depth chart, and competitors Kevin Givens, Evan Anderson, and Kalia Davis all played less than 30% of the team’s defensive snaps last season. The Niners figure to add more help and/or move Yetur Gross-Matos and Sam Okuayinonu inside more often.”
No position went through more of an overhaul than the defensive line. The 49ers released Maliek Collins, Javon Hargrave, and Leonard Floyd, while electing not to make any major signing at the position.
Instead, they focused on the draft, with their first-round pick addressing the edge with Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams. Then, they shored up the interior with Alfred Collins at No. 43 overall and C.J. West at No. 113 overall.
Both players could figure into the mix at defensive tackle, but Collins has faced some injuries so far this offseason. Ultimately, there are a lot of questions to figure out here, and new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has his hands full as he tries to rebuild a previously stout 49ers run defense.
San Francisco struggled in that department a season ago, dealing with injuries and mismatched personnel at the position, which prompted them to go with the bigger-bodied Collins in the 2025 NFL Draft.
But, they have two starting spots to fill and a lot of rotational pieces to compete for the role with returners Jordan Elliott, Kevin Givens, Evan Anderson, and Kalia Davis. Yetur Gross-Matos could be more of a full-time defensive tackle with Mykel Williams on the edge, but the latter is starting training camp on the Physically Unable to Play (PUP) list, which is something to note.
There’s definitely potential for the room, given the number of younger pieces. But, there’s a lot to answer still about the defensive tackle room heading into training camp.