The Niners top free agent signee could be an underrated piece in 2025.
The San Francisco 49ers are just a day away from training camp, which is really the time for role players to distinguish themselves as key rotational pieces for the 2025 season.
After a different style of offseason, the 49ers may be relying on role players more than ever this season, as they transition to a younger team following an offseason of departures.
Injuries have plagued the 49ers in years past, especially in 2024, so it’ll be important for depth to step up when necessary. So, who is the team’s most important role player in 2025?
Breaking down every team’s “nonstarter to know” ahead of the season, ESPN named San Francisco’s top free agent signee as their representative: tight end Luke Farrell.
Farrell signed a three-year deal worth $15.75 million this offseason that includes $11 million guaranteed, cementing his status as the team’s No. 2 tight end behind George Kittle.
“Farrell [is the 49ers non-starter to know],” ESPN’s Aaron Schatz wrote. “The 49ers gave him a three-year deal (even though he has never caught a touchdown pass), and he’s going to play behind Kittle.
“It’s all about the blocking, where Farrell excelled for the Jaguars in recent seasons. “He could come in and he could block a 9-technique where George [Kittle] and Christian [McCaffrey] could both be on routes,” coach Kyle Shanahan told the press at OTAs. The 49ers used just two tight ends about 12% of the time last season, but that’s going up in 2025.”
The market for blocking tight ends has skyrocketed with the evolution of offenses, and the 49ers saw that when losing Charlie Woerner to the Atlanta Falcons last offseason.
While the price could be considered steep, Farrell has reasonable cap hits of $2.54 million, $3.30 million, and $4.23 million for the next three seasons. If needed, the 49ers can move on with a $3.42 million dead cap hit after this season or a $2.56 million dead cap hit after the 2026 season.
With Farrell in the fold and Kittle at the helm, it’s not a surprise that ESPN named the tight end position as the 49ers’ biggest strength.
“Tight end [is San Francisco’s top strength],” ESPN’s Mike Clay wrote. “I could’ve gone a few directions, but George Kittle gets the nod following yet another outstanding season.
“Despite the 49ers’ struggles and nearly three full missed games due to injury, Kittle finished top five among tight ends in yards and touchdowns for the third consecutive season (he has finished top 10 in yards seven years in a row).
“Kittle paced the position in yards per route run for the fifth time in seven seasons. He was also PFF’s top-graded tight end in blocking. Luke Farrell and Ross Dwelley were signed as upgraded depth.”
The 49ers added the two veterans to compete with their younger bodies, providing some insurance behind Kittle.
But, it’ll be the All-Pro who will have to carry the room, and potentially the offense, in 2025. San Francisco is still waiting on Brandon Aiyuk’s recovery. Jauan Jennings wants a new contract. And Ricky Pearsall is entering his second year with injury issues popping up.
Of course, the return of Christian McCaffrey should prove valuable, but the 49ers will need another stellar year from Kittle and a good blocking campaign from Farrell for their offense to be strong in 2025.