49ers officially announce trade, 3 signings

49ers officially announce trade, 3 signings

The 49ers have been more active in the free agent market since the new league year opened on March 13. They still haven’t made any major splashes, but it’s hard to look at their offseason moves and feel like they’ve gotten significantly worse. This isn’t to say they can’t use some upgrades at a handful of positions. They certainly can. However, their dealings over the first couple free agency waves makes it look like their roster figures to be deeper in 2024 than it was in 2023.

We already covered their first batch of moves with grades. Here’s a grade for each of their second set of moves:

The 49ers dealt a seventh-round pick to the Texans in exchange for a starting defensive tackle who can stay on the field for all three downs. Collins may not be as good as Arik Armstead, but he won’t be a significant step backward either. This was a good, low-cost way for the 49ers to build out their depth at defensive tackle.

Feliciano quietly worked his way into the 49ers’ starting offensive line last year. He’s returning on a cheap one-year deal. Ideally he’d be a do-everything reserve in a good offensive line room. Instead he’ll have the inside track for the starting right guard job going into camp.

Givens, a former undrafted free agent, has carved out a nice rotational role with the 49ers. He’s probably not a starter on a championship-caliber defense, but he has a ton of value to San Francisco as a trusted depth piece who could start in a pinch. Re-signing him was an easy call for the 49ers.

Lucas has mainly contributed on special teams in 18-career games across two seasons. He has returned only one kick spanning his college and pro careers so the 49ers don’t have their return man just yet. Lucas should get a chance to battle for a back-of-the-roster spot where special teams contributions are essential.

When the 49ers signed Conley last year it looked like he’d be a camp body and maybe a veteran practice squad player. He wound up contributing a ton on special teams for San Francisco. Bringing him back on a one-year deal opens the door for him to have a similar role this year, although less depth at WR could mean Conley lands a spot on the 53-man roster out of camp.

Yiadom had a less-than-stellar first five seasons as a pro. He played for five teams in those five years and only started 20 games. Last season though he started eight of 17 games for the Saints and notched a career-best 14 pass breakups while logging his second-career interception. He’s primarily played outside corner in his career, which jibes with what the 49ers want to do with Deommodore Lenoir in the slot. Yiadom isn’t a guaranteed starter, but he’s a low-risk signing with potential quality starter upside coming off his best year as a pro. While this can’t be San Francisco’s only potential solution at CB, it’s still a strong addition at a key position.

Special teams contributions have been one of the common themes among 49ers offseason additions. Lucas and Yiadom have both been heavy special teams contributors in their careers. Turner is no different. He played sparingly on defense for the Cardinals while becoming a special teams mainstay. Kick coverage has been a problem for the 49ers the last few years, so bringing in special teams minded players makes a ton of sense, particularly in a LB corps that’s lacking experience on that unit.

Speaking of linebackers who contribute primarily on special teams, the 49ers brought back Flannigan-Fowles on a one-year deal. He’s not a lock to make the club, but he’s also a potential starter alongside either Warner or Warner and Campbell. Of course his special teams play will be a deciding factor in his future with the club, but Flanningan-Fowles has a track record in San Francisco the other players vying for special teams jobs don’t have.