49ers Identified As Potential Landing Spot For NFC Rival Defensive Star
49ers Identified As Potential Landing Spot For NFC Rival Defensive Star
Blog Article
Getty Detroit Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike during the third quarter in the game against the Minnesota Vikings
NFL free agency officially kicks off next week, providing veteran players an opportunity to sign with new teams while franchises seek to bolster their rosters ahead of the draft. However, the San Francisco 49ers expects to take a measured approach due to salary cap constraints. The organization is unlikely to be a major spender, as several of its free agents are not anticipated to return. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan appear committed to a strategy that emphasizes youth development this offseason.
Despite financial limitations, the 49ers still expect to explore targeted acquisitions in free agency. According to Pro Football Focus contributor Bradley Locker, one potential addition that would be a strong fit for San Francisco is defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike. Locker identified an ideal free-agent signing for every NFL team and pointed to Onwuzurike as a potential impact player for the 49ers.
Levi Onwuzurike: A Potential Defensive Asset
Locker highlighted Onwuzurike’s impressive 2024 season with the Detroit Lions, where he emerged as a disruptive force on the defensive line. “In the wake of their injury-tarnished season, the 49ers are in the process of sorting out which pending defensive free agents to bring back,” Locker wrote. “Addressing the defensive line should be on John Lynch’s docket, and Onwuzurike is a name to keep in mind.”
Onwuzurike proved to be a productive player in 2024, registering 47 pressures along with a 66.5 PFF run-defense grade. That mark ranked higher than any 49ers defensive lineman other than star pass rusher Nick Bosa. With Robert Saleh returning as the team’s defensive coordinator, Onwuzurike’s skill set could be an ideal match for San Francisco’s 4-3 defensive scheme. “Since 2023, the 27-year-old ranks 13th among 36 qualified defensive linemen in PFF overall grade on 4-3 snaps (71.4),” Locker noted.