Adding depth was a key for the 49ers in the offseason, be it via free agency or the draft.
The San Francisco 49ers looked to add depth at several positions in the offseason, as they navigated free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft with the intent of competing for a Super Bowl once again this upcoming season.
Making some difficult decisions and letting a number of free agents go, the 49ers revamped several positions while keeping a majority of their core intact, which has made them the current odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl next season.
When evaluating their roster, where are the 49ers deepest across the board?
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Wide Receiver
Wide receiver was a clear priority for the 49ers during the draft, as they took Florida’s Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 selection in the first round, as well as Arizona’s Jacob Cowing with the No. 135 pick in the fourth round.
However, while the 49ers added depth to the room, they decided to keep their top three options from a season ago: Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and Jauan Jennings.
While Aiyuk and Jennings are both dealing with contract disputes at the moment, the expectation is that all three wideouts will be 49ers in 2024 before key decisions are made next offseason.
With the three incumbent starters, as well as the two draftees, the 49ers have a solid core of five wideouts that I see as essential “locks” to make the 53-man roster.
But, behind them, the 49ers also have some intriguing depth, which should lead to some competition during the offseason as OTAs and training camp continue.
It will be a make-or-break offseason for 2022 third-rounder Danny Gray, who has yet to make an impact in his two NFL seasons. Additionally, the 49ers have 2023 seventh-round pick Ronnie Bell, who made the 53-man roster a season ago and flashed in limited action.
Add in veterans Chris Conley and Trent Taylor, as well as the storyline behind undrafted free agent Terique Owens, and the 49ers have a fairly deep wide receiver room that combines both high-level producers and young talent.
I’d expect the 49ers to carry six receivers on their 53-man roster once again, with Gray, Bell, Conley, Taylor, and Owens competing for that final spot.
Defensive Line
As always, the defensive line is pretty deep for the 49ers this season.
Last year, it felt like a different vibe, as San Francisco splashed by signing defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to pair with longtime veteran Arik Armstead, creating a top-heavy group of Hargrave, Armstead, and Nick Bosa.
The team dealt with injuries, however, leading to certain issues down the stretch with the run defense, among other factors.
This offseason, after the 49ers released Armstead, San Francisco sought to get more depth at both the edge positions and on the interior.
They signed Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos on the outside to replace the departing Chase Young and Randy Gregory, while signing Jordan Elliott and trading for Maliek Collins to replace Armstead.
Now, the 49ers have three quality edge options, with a ton of younger players looking to compete for playing time behind them.
The hope is that Robert Beal Jr. takes a step forward in Year 2, while Drake Jackson enters a make-or-break offseason as well after dealing with injuries and inconsistencies over the first two years of his career.
At defensive tackle, the 49ers brought back Kevin Givens and T.Y. McGill as depth pieces, while still keeping Kalia Davis, creating another competition at a deep position.
Despite some turnover at the position, it seems that the 49ers should be well-represented along the defensive line this season with their added depth.
Cornerback
Last season, the 49ers fielded strong cornerback play from Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, but saw inconsistencies from the No. 3 spot, which rotated between Isaiah Oliver and Ambry Thomas.
It’s clear the 49ers wanted to upgrade at cornerback this offseason, as the team signed Isaac Yiadom and Rock Ya-Sin, while drafting Florida State’s Renardo Green in the second round.
Green and Lenoir both have inside-outside versatility, adding to the options that San Francisco has at cornerback this offseason.
But, for now, the team has several players who could compete for starting spots, and then there’s the depth behind them.
San Francisco still has Thomas, Darrell Luter, and Samuel Womack, who will all be competing for the final roster spots at the position.
Additionally, the 49ers brought in Chase Lucas, who has good special teams experience, to have another body in the room.
Cornerback hasn’t always been the strongest spot for the 49ers over the past few seasons, but they have both top-level talent and depth in the room this year.