The 49ers moved to add some defensive line depth on Tuesday. They signed veteran interior defender Zach Kerr.
A seven-year D-line contributor who has been with three teams over the past three years, Kerr signed a one-year contract to join the 49ers. The Panthers released Kerr just ahead of free agency’s outset last week.
Formerly a Colts UDFA find, Kerr has since played with the Broncos, Cardinals and Panthers. After following Vance Joseph from Denver to Arizona, Kerr landed in Carolina on a multiyear deal. He played in 13 Panthers games last season and logged four starts. The 30-year-old D-lineman finished the season with two sacks and a career-high nine quarterback hits, playing 37% of Carolina’s defensive snaps. Kerr’s nomadic recent past notwithstanding, he played well last season. Giving Kerr the best individual grade of his career, Pro Football Focus rated the veteran as its No. 10 overall interior defender .
While Kerr has never been a regular starter in his NFL career, he has made 16 starts and played in 88 games. While he has experience playing as a defensive end as well, Kerr profiles as an inside player in San Francisco’s 4-3 scheme. He figures to join the 49ers’ Javon Kinlaw-headed D-tackle rotation.
The 49ers also re-signed defensive tackle D.J. Jones but lost Solomon Thomas, who often played inside despite being listed as a defensive end, to the Raiders early in free agency.
Really solid depth signing
Excellent DL depth now with Kerr, Givens, Wilkins, Ebukam, and Jones as a part time starter