The 49ers have a bit of a logjam on the defensive line, particularly when it comes to three-technique players, as Matt Barrows of The Athletic writes.
Naturally, DeForest Buckner, Nick Bosa, and Dee Ford are all locks for the roster while Arik Armstead, D.J. Jones, and Kentavius Street have an “excellent chance” at being in SF for Week 1. Meanwhile, Solomon Thomas, Ronald Blair, Jullian Taylor, and Sheldon Day are in the “good shot” tier.
Thomas’ name has popped up in trade rumors, but the Niners flatly deny that he is available and Barrows has only heard from one source –not multiple sources – that Thomas is on the block. Still, given the team’s depth on the D-Line, it’s a story worth monitoring this summer.
Here’s more on the Niners:
- More from Barrows, who writes that Iowa guard Ross Reynolds and Wyoming tight end Tyree Mayfield have the best odds of any 49ers UDFA to make the roster. With Laken Tomlinson and Weston Richburg coming back from injuries, Reynolds should have an opportunity to stick as a depth option with size. Meanwhile, Mayfield’s versatility could allow him to stick as a WR/TE/H-Back type.
- Even more from Barrows, who has not heard of any teams showing interest in former 49ers wide receiver Pierre Garcon. The Niners declined Garcon’s option earlier this offseason, bringing his five-year, $47.5MM contract to a premature end. Unfortunately, injuries slowed Garcon during his time in SF, limiting him to just eight games in each of the last two years. The good news is that Barrows hears he is now fully recovered from the knee surgery he had in December.
- The 49ers had interest in tight end Ben Watson, but he signed with the Patriots before they could get a good look at him.
Didn’t Watson sign with the Patriots already?
32 year old WR coming off knee surgery, with the last 2 years of average at best production while being hurt approx. 50% of the time…..its no wonder he isn’t in demand!