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.
Defensive Line
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.
Linebackers
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 that won’t be as costly.
The third linebacker spot could go to Dee Winters, who flashed for much of the year, but had some inconsistent play at times. San Francisco sought a veteran in that spot last year, as they needed insurance for Greenlaw, hence the signing of Campbell.
But, with another year under his belt, Winters could be a better fit for the starting role and take the vacant spot in 2025.
Cornerbacks
The 49ers are set with two cornerbacks in 2025, as they signed Deommodore Lenoir to a five-year extension midseason, while drafting Renardo Green in the second round last year.
Lenoir is versatile, having experience on the inside and outside, while Green figures to fit in one of the boundary roles in 2025. But, there is a need for a third starter, with the flexibility to add either another boundary corner or a cheaper nickel option.
There are some connections in free agency, as former 49ers cornerback D.J. Reed could come back for a reunion with new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. But, he’ll be costly as one of the top defensive backs on the market, which may price him out of San Francisco’s range.
The 49ers could go the rookie route once again, pouncing on one of the top corners in the draft in the top rounds and getting another player on a rookie contract, shoring up the position for the next four to five years.
But, they’ll need to add at least one more cornerback, with a number of reserves needed as well, as much of the team’s corners were on expiring deals this past season.
Safeties
San Francisco has drafted a safety in each of the last two drafts, taking Ji’Ayir Brown in the third round in 2023 before landing Malik Mustapha in the fourth round last year.
While Mustapha impressed in a starting role last year, Brown struggled to take the next step and was benched towards the end of the year in favor of the former.
Now, a starting spot is opening up as Talanoa Hufanga is entering unrestricted free agency. The 49ers could bring back Hufanga, but he’s faced a number of injuries over the past few years and hasn’t been the best fit with his wild style of play that has resulted in missed tackles and a number of poor angles in space.
Similarly, they could turn to Brown, going with two rookie deals at the position, but his play wasn’t promising last year and it’s unclear whether he’d be the best fit with Mustapha either.
Both are options, but the 49ers could look to the open market or even the draft for another safety to add some competition for the second starting role. They’ll need another reserve as well, with George Odum being the only other player under contract next season, so there should be multiple additions in the room this offseason.