NFL free agency is off and running, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2024 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year began at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, which means free agent signings can be made official after that. The first round of the 2024 NFL draft begins April 25 on ESPN.
Here’s a breakdown of every 2024 NFL free agent signing by the San Francisco 49ers and how each will impact the upcoming season:
The 49ers signed the veteran pass-rusher to a two-year deal worth up to $24 million.
What it means: Given the amount of free agents they have along the defensive line, adding here was always going to be a priority this offseason. In Floyd, the Niners get a durable, accomplished pass-rusher (58 career sacks, including a career-high 10.5 last year) who is familiar with new assistant coach Brandon Staley from their time together with the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears. Floyd should step in immediately and provide more pass-rush punch opposite Nick Bosa than what the Niners got in 2023.
What’s the risk: Floyd will turn 32 at the start of the season and though he’s been at his best over the past four seasons, he has mainly served as a situational pass-rusher rather than a three-down end. He played 54% of the snaps for the Bills last season. The money here is about right for a pass-rusher of Floyd’s age and caliber and there’s little risk given the length of the deal but the Niners will need to continue to add help at end in order to maximize what Floyd brings to the table.
De’Vondre Campbell, LB
The 49ers agreed to terms with Campbell, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, on a one-year contract.
What it means: After linebacker Eric Kendricks backed out of an agreement with the Niners to go to the Cowboys, the Niners had a need for an experienced linebacker capable of starting. That’s especially true with Dre Greenlaw recovering from a torn Achilles. Campbell, an eight-year veteran, had his best season in 2021, earning All-Pro honors and a lucrative contract from the Packers. The Niners would love if he could return to that form and step into the weakside linebacker spot with Greenlaw out, then slide over to the strong side when Greenlaw returns.
What’s the risk: Campbell has been limited by knee and ankle injuries over the past two seasons that cost him a combined 10 games. He’s also made it clear that he was playing hurt for at least some of the games he was in. Which means the Niners will have to hope that he can get and stay healthy, at least while Greenlaw is unavailable. One way or another, they’ll need Campbell to contribute in 2024. If he struggles with injuries again, the Niners could have issues at linebacker aside from Fred Warner.
Maliek Collins, DT
The 49ers acquired Collins from the Texans on Wednesday, sending Houston a seventh-round pick.
What it means: With the anticipated departure of Arik Armstead, Collins instantly becomes the favorite to start at defensive tackle next to Javon Hargrave. The 28-year old should offer a boost in terms of interior pass rush after finishing 12th among interior rushers in pass rush win rate (13.9%) in 2023 and third in that category (17.4%) in 2022. This is the fourth addition to the Niners’ defensive line renovation and should now free them up to spend most of their remaining resources in other areas of need such as the offensive line, secondary and receiver.
What’s the risk: Collins has been a productive player for eight seasons, but replacing Armstead isn’t going to be easy, even if the Niners attempt to do it with a combination of Collins and free agent pickup Jordan Elliott. One thing that duo should provide that Armstead struggled with is durability, but are the Niners better on the interior than they were last season? That remains to be seen.
Yetur Gross-Matos, DE
The 49ers agreed to a two-year deal with Gross-Matos.
What it means: The 49ers not only wanted to add help on the defensive line but needed to because they had so many players scheduled for free agency. After agreeing with Leonard Floyd earlier Wednesday, the Niners struck again at defensive end with Gross-Matos (who also can move around on the line) on a similar contract. The hope is that Floyd and Gross-Matos can complement each other well enough to provide stable and consistent production opposite Bosa. The combo platter is a different approach than the Niners’ recent history of going for the big splash but it also offers much-needed depth in case of injuries.
What’s the risk: While this is a short deal, it’s still a fairly sizable one (worth up to $18 million) for a player who has just 13 sacks in his four seasons and missed time with injury in 2023. Gross-Matos is also coming off a season in Carolina in which he moved to outside linebacker rather than playing with his hand down. He’ll go back to a natural end spot with the Niners and be asked to hold up consistently in the run game while continuing to develop his pass-rush skills. Only 26, Gross-Matos presumably still had untapped potential that the Niners hope line coach Kris Kocurek can unlock.
Jon Feliciano, G
Feliciano will re-sign with the 49ers on a one-year deal.
What it means: A year ago, the 49ers signed Feliciano to be their primary backup at all three interior spots. By the end of the year, he’d emerged as their starting right guard and was their most consistent lineman outside of Trent Williams with a pass block win rate of 94.1% (tied for 10th among guards who started at least seven games). That made bringing him back something of a no-brainer and positions him to return in the starting role. At minimum, Feliciano gives San Francisco some depth and certainty on the interior.
What’s the risk: The Niners can’t afford to run it back with the same group of offensive linemen after the Chiefs exposed their warts in Super Bowl LVIII. In fact, many believed the Niners should have invested more resources into the offensive line last year, so it was surprising when the Niners didn’t draft a lineman. This year’s draft class is loaded on the offensive line, and the Niners have 10 picks and short- and long-term needs all over the line. The only risk is if bringing Feliciano back is the only significant front-five move they make.
Joshua Dobbs, QB
The 49ers agreed to a one-year deal with the much-traveled quarterback.
What it means: After losing Sam Darnold to the Vikings, the 49ers wanted to add another veteran quarterback to provide depth and compete with Brandon Allen for the No. 2 job behind starter Brock Purdy. In Dobbs, the 49ers get a player who brings a bit more mobility and someone who they saw up close last season. In fact, Dobbs had one of his best games last year against the Niners when he was with the Cardinals. For the second year in a row, San Francisco figures to have a training camp competition for the backup job.
What’s the risk: The question remains the same as it was after the Niners re-signed Allen: are they good enough behind Purdy to keep winning if Purdy isn’t available? Dobbs and Allen both have performed well at times in the past but neither has been consistent enough to elevate beyond a backup job. That’s fine so long as Purdy stays mostly healthy, but the Niners felt really comfortable last year with Darnold and it remains to be seen if they’ll have that same confidence behind Purdy going into 2024.
Jordan Elliott, DT
The 49ers will sign the former Browns DT to a two-year deal worth $10 million.
What it means: After addressing serious needs at defensive end on Monday, the Niners turned their attention to the interior, where a similar reconstruction is needed. Elliott is a prime candidate to replace the expected-to-be-released Arik Armstead at the tackle spot next to Javon Hargrave. He should also be a boon to San Francisco’s wobbly run defense. In 2023, Elliott ranked 12th in the NFL in run stop win rate (40%). He’s also coming from a defense that uses similar alignments with their defensive fronts, which should make for a smooth transition.
What’s the risk: Given the relatively light price ($10 million over two years) and Elliott’s durability (66 games in four seasons), there isn’t much risk here. There could be, however, if the Niners don’t continue to fortify the interior. If Armstead moves on, the Niners will need multiple players capable of replacing him and need additional depth regardless, as Elliott and Hargrave are the only two tackles on the roster to play significant snaps last season.
Rock Ya-Sin, CB
The 49ers agreed to a one-year deal with the cornerback.
What it means: It’s no secret that the Niners need cornerbacks who can compete for a starting spot and provide depth, and Ya-Sin should be able to satisfy the latter, at minimum. Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir are set to start but the 49ers want to bulk up at the third corner spot, whether it means adding an outside option who allows Lenoir to bump into the slot in nickel packages or a player that can start at slot corner. Ya-Sin projects more as an outside option. The Niners have now added veterans Ya-Sin and Isaac Yiadom to create competition for Ambry Thomas as the third corner, with youngsters such as Darrell Luter and Samuel Womack also lurking.
What’s the risk: There’s not much risk in taking a flier on a veteran corner at this point in free agency, but it should be noted that this isn’t a cure-all for the Niners’ needs at the position. Lenoir, Ward and Thomas are slated to be free agents after the 2024 season and Yiadom and Ya-Sin are on one-year deals. San Francisco should prioritize corner for both the short- and long-term in the upcoming NFL draft.
Isaac Yiadom, CB
The 49ers have agreed to sign the former Saints cornerback to a one-year deal.
What it means: Yiadom is the second corner the Niners have added this offseason but the first who figures into the starting mix. The Niners have multiple options for how their top three corners can lay out, but Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir will be two of them. Yiadom projects more on the outside, which means if he wins a spot, Lenoir can move into the nickel or Lenoir can start outside and move to the slot in nickel situations. Yiadom had his best NFL season in 2023 with an interception and 14 pass breakups.
What’s the risk: At 28, Yiadom is coming off his best NFL season, but it’s fair to wonder if he can duplicate or exceed that performance this year. Adding Yiadom gives the Niners even more flexibility with their draft approach but it doesn’t take them out of the market for more cornerbacks, whether it’s in the draft or free agency. This team knows that you can never have too many productive corners.
Brandon Parker, OT
The 49ers have agreed to a one-year deal with the former Raiders lineman.
What it means: Parker is the first outside addition to the position group that represents the Niners’ biggest need. With backup tackle Matt Pryor signing with the Bears, the Niners needed at least one more tackle to compete for the top backup job with Jaylon Moore. Parker started 33 games over the past five seasons in Las Vegas and played in 59 games, which, at minimum, provides experienced depth.
What’s the risk: In addition to signing Parker, the Niners also extended tackle Colton McKivitz’s contract through 2025, which at least gives them some certainty at right tackle opposite Trent Williams. But make no mistake, this is a position that can and should be at the top of their priority list heading into the draft. Ideally, they can find a tackle capable of providing an upgrade on the right side immediately and potentially be a long-term replacement for Williams. The only risk here comes if the Niners don’t continue to add.
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, LB
The 49ers will re-sign Flannigan-Fowles to a one-year contract.
What it means: The Niners were surprised by Kendricks’ decision to back out of signing with the 49ers to go to the Dallas Cowboys instead. It left them looking for more experienced depth at linebacker with the uncertainty surrounding Greenlaw’s torn Achilles. Flannigan-Fowles brings familiarity, having spent the first five seasons of his career in San Francisco. In that time, Flannigan-Fowles has been a key contributor on special teams while also filling in on defense when needed. If nothing else, the Niners know what they have with him.
What’s the risk: Even with Flannigan-Fowles back, the 49ers still have a pressing need for a starting-caliber linebacker as Greenlaw recovers. That could mean bringing Oren Burks back, but it shouldn’t prevent them from continuing to look at outside options with experience. Much like on the offensive line, the only risk here is if the Niners don’t continue adding to this position group.
George Odum, S
The 49ers and Odum agreed to a two-year deal.
What it means: First and foremost, the 49ers retain their best special teams player, and one of the best in the league. That’s no small thing given the special teams issues that contributed to their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. In two seasons in San Francisco, Odum has 31 special teams tackles, which ranks first in the NFL. Odum also has knowledge of the defense and could be asked to contribute more there with Talanoa Hufanga recovering from a torn right ACL.
What’s the risk: Even with Odum, the 49ers still have question marks at safety. In addition to Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson Sr. is a free agent and may not return. Ji’Ayir Brown had some good moments as a rookie but also was replaced by veteran Logan Ryan in the NFC divisional round. Odum’s deal is worth up to more than $10 million, an indication he could earn more if he produces on defense, but it’s still fair to wonder if the Niners are good enough at safety without making another meaningful addition in free agency or the draft.
Kevin Givens, DT
The 49ers re-signed Givens to a one-year deal.
What it means: Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: The Niners are adding another defensive lineman. The difference is that Givens is re-signing with the team instead of joining from the outside. Givens has been a dependable part of the rotation for each of his five seasons in the league and offers experience and familiarity in the scheme. Givens has 79 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in 57 career games. With Givens joining a group that includes holdovers Javon Hargrave and Kalia Davis and new additions Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott, the Niners can turn their attention elsewhere for the rest of the offseason.
What’s the risk: The 49ers have not made a single outside addition in this free-agent period outside of the defensive line after linebacker Eric Kendricks backed out of his agreement on a one-year deal to sign with Dallas. In theory, this should free them to use their remaining resources on positions of need like the offensive line, secondary and receiver. While there’s little to no risk in bringing Givens back, it’s reasonable to wonder if the group brought in to replace the released Arik Armstead can combine to replicate or surpass what a healthy Armstead brought to the table.
Chris Conley, WR
The 49ers have re-signed the veteran receiver to a one-year deal.
What it means: Over last season’s final weeks, Conley emerged as not only a core special teams player but as someone who could contribute to the offense when called upon. He made a big catch in the comeback win against the Packers in the divisional round and had another grab in the Super Bowl. Proving his dependability in key moments made him a player the Niners wanted to keep. He also provides much-needed depth at receiver.
What’s the risk: With Conley only signing a one-year deal, Deebo Samuel and Ronnie Bell are the only wideouts who finished the year on the active roster under contract beyond the 2024 season. Suffice to say, more help is needed. The draft is considered deep at the position and the Niners would be wise to begin planning for the future with an early-ish round investment.
Brandon Allen, QB
Allen returns on a one-year deal with the 49ers.
What it means: Allen spent all of last season as the Niners’ No. 3 quarterback and did not play a snap. But coach Kyle Shanahan liked Allen and he was an important resource for starter Brock Purdy. Now, Allen has a chance to move up the depth chart and become Purdy’s primary backup. Some of that will depend on what happens with other quarterbacks — including Sam Darnold, last year’s backup — but the better bet is Allen will be No. 2 and the Niners will look to the draft to find a developmental No. 3.
What’s the risk: At 31, Allen does have plenty of experience from his time as the primary backup with the Bengals. In 2023, the Niners didn’t have to use backup quarterbacks much, a rarity in the Shanahan era but their recent history suggests that more often than not, the backup quarterback is going to have to contribute at some point. Would Allen and a rookie quarterback be enough depth at the game’s most important position? It’s fair to wonder.
Ezekiel Turner, LB
The 49ers have signed the ex-Cardinals linebacker to a one-year deal.
What it means: In case this hasn’t already been made clear, the 49ers weren’t very satisfied with their special teams unit last year. Understandably so, given that there’s an argument that special teams cost them a Super Bowl victory. They’ve already spent resources elsewhere on special teams and Turner is the latest addition to that end. He had 10 special teams tackles in 16 games and should be able to help replace the loss of Oren Burks, who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.
What’s the risk: The Niners have bolstered their coverage units on special teams but still need to invest in a punt and kick returner. Ray-Ray McCloud III signed with the Falcons and while there are some in-house options — Ronnie Bell, for one — the Niners can’t afford to not find another returner. Ideally, it would come in the form of a young receiver who can also contribute offensively but all these additions to the special teams won’t mean much if they don’t have a reliable returner.
The 49ers and the former Detroit Lions corner have agreed to terms on a one-year deal.
What it means: This is the Niners’ first addition to the secondary in this offseason, but Lucas isn’t necessarily here to help solve their issues at nickel cornerback. Instead, the Niners are devoting more resources to improving their special teams, an area that came back to bite them in Super Bowl LVIII. Lucas was a core special teams player for the Lions, working as a gunner on punts. That will be his ticket to landing a roster spot, with anything he can do defensively considered a bonus.
Chase Lucas, CB
What’s the risk: There’s little risk here, but it’s worth pointing out that the Niners still must address cornerback in a meaningful way this offseason. That seems more likely to happen through the draft, which is deep at nickel and could provide a good starting option in the slot that allows them to keep Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir as the starters outside.
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