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Texans To Trade DT Maliek Collins To 49ers

March 13th, 2024 at 11:44am CST by Sam Robinson

Maliek Collins signed three Texans contracts in three years; his most recent will be transferred to the 49ers’ payroll. Houston is sending the veteran defensive tackle to San Francisco, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports.

The 49ers will acquire the former Cowboys, Raiders and Texans interior D-lineman for a seventh-round pick, Schefter adds. Collins, 29 next month, spent the past three seasons in Houston. He is coming off a career-best pass-rushing season. With Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw heading out of town, the 49ers are revamping their DT group alongside Javon Hargrave.

San Francisco will send this year’s No. 232 overall pick to Houston, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. The Texans will end up dropping eight spots in the seventh round by trading Collins and acquiring Joe Mixon, who cost only the 224th overall choice.

This should prove to be a scheme fit, considering Collins started in DeMeco Ryans‘ defense last season. After shifting away from their Ryans-Robert Saleh scheme under Steve Wilks, the 49ers scrapped that plan and promoted Nick Sorensen to lead the defense. Collins will remain a 4-3 D-tackle in San Francisco.

Collins totaled five sacks in Ryans’ defense last season, tallying a career-high — by a wide margin — 18 QB hits in his third year with the Texans. ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric ranked Collins 12th among interior D-linemen in 2023.

The team has added Denico Autry and Foley Fatukasi in free agency; those veterans look set to move into Houston’s starting lineup. Collins may not be a lock to start in San Francisco, but his contract ($11.5MM per year) would suggest that is going to happen.

Signing Collins in 2021 to work in Lovie Smith‘s system, the Texans re-signed the ex-Cowboys draftee a year later. Despite changing schemes under Ryans, the team gave Collins a two-year, $23MM extension last summer. Two years remain on that deal, which could certainly provide good value for a 49ers team that did well to grab Charles Omenihu from the Texans in 2021. On a roster that featured low-cost deals just about everywhere but the offensive line, Collins’ deal stood out. It will blend in more on the 49ers’ payroll.

Hargrave is sticking around as the highest-profile Nick Bosa sidekick, but the defending NFC champions are retooling around the two veterans. Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos are coming in on midlevel deals to supplement Bosa on the edge, while ex-Browns starter Jordan Elliott will be part of the 49ers’ interior mix alongside Hargrave. Armstead started for nine seasons in San Francisco. The 49ers offered the 6-foot-7 regular a pay cut, but this trade and the Elliott pickup would suggest the team is not planning to have Armstead back at a reduced rate. The Titans are believed to be interested in Armstead, while Kinlaw joined the Jets.

49ers To Sign LB Eric Kendricks

March 13th, 2024 at 8:14am CST by Sam Robinson

A cap casualty for a second straight year, Eric Kendricks will once again secure an immediate opportunity elsewhere. The 2023 Chargers starter will head north.

The 49ers are adding the nine-year veteran linebacker, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. This comes after the Bolts moved on from Kendricks’ two-year contract last week. Kendricks will bring some insurance for the 49ers, who played most of Super Bowl LVIII without Dre Greenlaw, who suffered an Achilles tear while trotting onto the field. This will represent another California stop for Kendricks, a Fresno native who played collegiately at UCLA.

Last year, Kendricks commanded a two-year, $13.25MM Chargers deal shortly after his Vikings release. Last season, the eight-year Minnesota starter continued his run of solid production by registering 117 tackles (seven for loss) and 3.5 sacks. The former second-round pick added a forced fumble and six passes defensed, also finishing his season as Pro Football Focus’ No. 25 overall linebacker.

A key presence at middle linebacker during the Vikings’ Mike Zimmer era, Kendricks was tied to an eight-figure-per-year Minnesota deal two seasons ago. Kendricks, 32, has put together eight straight seasons with 100-plus tackles, mixing in 18.5 career sacks. He earned first-team All-Pro acclaim in 2019, helping the Vikings to the divisional round, while starting for four playoff teams from 2015-22. Kendricks figures to have another chance as a playoff contributor, but the 49ers have two three-down linebackers in place.

After one of the stranger injuries in recent NFL history, Greenlaw underwent surgery last month. The 49ers certainly missed their three-down ‘backer’s presence in a narrow loss to the Chiefs, and a reserve/PUP list stay — based on the timing of the injury — would not be out of the question. Kendricks would stand to serve as the team’s top Fred Warner complement in the meantime. Even if Greenlaw can recover in time for Week 1, the 49ers have a veteran in place as protection following the ill-timed setback.

49ers, DT Jordan Elliott Agree To Deal

March 12th, 2024 at 3:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Set to cut Arik Armstead and already seeing Javon Kinlaw commit to rejoin Robert Saleh in New York, the 49ers are making changes at defensive tackle. They will bring in a recent Browns starter.

Jordan Elliott is joining the team on a two-year, $10MM agreement, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. The former third-round pick started 31 games for the Browns over the past two seasons.

The Mizzou alum started for a bad Browns defense in 2022 but retained his job during Jim Schwartz‘s turnaround effort last year. Elliott ranked 12th in ESPN’s run stop win rate metric last season. Pro Football Focus was far less sold, ranking Elliott outside the top 110 among defensive tackles in each of the past two seasons.

Elliott, 26, will come over after spending time in a 4-3 scheme in Cleveland. That will make for an easier transition to the 49ers’ setup, which has been a 4-3 look for many years. Elliott combined for 4.5 sacks over the past two seasons, contributing to Cleveland’s No. 1-ranked pass defense — alongside DTs Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris — in 2023.

Although the 49ers still have Javon Hargrave anchoring their DT corps, losing Armstead will be a blow for the team. More additions here should be expected. T.Y. McGill and Kalia Davis remain under contract inside for San Francisco.

49ers To Extend S George Odum

March 12th, 2024 at 12:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

George Odum did not profile as a free agent the 49ers wanted to retain, but the veteran special-teamer remains in the club’s plans. San Francisco has reached an Odum extension agreement.

The All-Pro special-teamer’s deal will now run through 2026, via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, who reports the team and player have agreed to a deal worth up to $10MM. Odum has been with the 49ers since 2022.

Sporting first- and second-team All-Pro nods over a six-year career, the former Colts safety made an unexpected return to help the 49ers last season. Suffering what was believed to be a season-ending biceps injury on Thanksgiving, but he made it back during the NFC playoffs. The 49ers are extending this partnership soon after.

Sustaining an injury that required surgery, Odum rehabbed and was activated from IR in time for the 49ers’ divisional-round game. He played in each of San Francisco’s playoff contests, helping the team play even with the Chiefs until their overtime walk-off. Odum, 30, does not play much on defense. But the 49ers have used him often on special teams. The ex-Colts UDFA logged 79% of the 49ers’ ST work in 2022 — a second-team All-Pro season — and was on the field for 69% of those plays last season.

49ers To Add DE Yetur Gross-Matos

March 11th, 2024 at 7:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers are busy filling out Nick Bosa‘s latest crew of defensive end sidekicks. After already adding Leonard Floyd, the defending NFC champions will pick up a recent Panthers second-round pick.

Yetur Gross-Matos will head to San Francisco on a two-year, $18MM contract, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Although Gross-Matos has never enjoyed a five-sack season, the 49ers have shown a knack for getting more out of pass rushers. Still, this is a nice contract for the four-year Panthers contributor.

San Francisco is spending a bit more to fortify its D-end group this offseason. The team had used lower-cost cogs — Charles Omenihu, Clelin Ferrell, Arden Key, Samson Ebukam — in recent years, but those deals also came when Jimmy Garoppolo‘s contract was on the payroll. Brock Purdy must stay on a rookie contract until at least 2025, giving the 49ers more flexibility. The team is also moving on from Arik Armstead, freeing up some D-line funds.

The Panthers attempted to turn to Gross-Matos as their top Brian Burns complement, but the former No. 38 overall pick did not stick in that role. Carolina added Justin Houston last year, which led to the Penn State alum only starting six games. As the Panthers regroup up front, the 49ers will spend a chunk of change to add what appears to be a No. 3 edge rusher.

Gross-Matos is still just 25, and the 49ers have completed a few reclamation projects under D-line coach Kris Kocurek. The 6-foot-5 pass rusher did post 10 QB hits in each of the past two seasons, but his 2.5-sack 2022 — in 17 starts — is rather glaring. This will be an interesting challenge, though Gross-Matos’ contract suggested other teams believe in him as well.

49ers, DE Leonard Floyd Agree To Deal

March 11th, 2024 at 4:14pm CST by Ben Levine

After moving on from a longtime contributor along the defensive line, the 49ers will make a notable addition. Leonard Floyd has agreed to a deal with San Francisco, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Floyd was among the several late-20s or early-30s edge rushers who needed to wait out a cold market last year. His May Bills agreement broke the ice, with the perennial AFC East champs landing the Rams cap casualty for just $7MM. Last year showed Floyd was not merely an Aaron Donald beneficiary, with the pass rusher tying a career-high with 10.5 sacks.

Once run out of Chicago for failing to deliver on his draft status, Floyd has proven to be one of the 2020s’ steadiest edge players. The former top prospect has finished with between nine and 10.5 sacks in each of the past four seasons, and his consistency was expected to make him a popular name on the market.

While Floyd could have profiled as a team’s top edge rusher, he’ll be playing second fiddle to Nick Bosa in San Francisco. The 49ers have been seeking a dependable source of sacks opposite their star pass rusher, with the team trying out the likes of Dee Ford, Samson Ebukam, Drake Jackson, Clelin Ferrell, and Chase Young at the second spot on the depth chart. Now, they’ll have an elite option playing opposite Bosa.

The 49ers clearly made Floyd a priority to fill the hole on their depth chart. New assistant coach Brandon Staley is plenty familiar with his new pass rusher; Staley was the Rams defensive coordinator when the two were in Los Angeles together, and Staley also served as the OLBs coach when the two were in Chicago.

49ers To Re-Sign QB Brandon Allen

March 11th, 2024 at 11:19am CST by Adam La Rose

Brandon Allen will remain in San Francisco for at least one more offseason. The veteran quarterback has agreed to a new 49ers deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

A report from January tapped Allen as the likely backup for San Francisco in 2024. Sam Darnold held that role last season, but his play under head coach Kyle Shanahan could price him out of the Bay Area. Retaining Allen marks another sign that Darnold could be playing elsewhere next season.

Allen, 31, entered the league as a Jaguars draftee in 2016, but it was three years later that he saw his first regular season action. He made three starts with Denver in 2019 before a three-year span in Cincinnati. The former sixth-rounder worked as Joe Burrow‘s backup during that time, but the Bengals did not retain him last offseason.

That left Allen free to head elsewhere, and he did so by joining the 49ers. Even with Trey Lance in the fold at the time, San Francisco set a high asking price for any potential Allen trade. It was Lance who wound up being dealt to the Cowboys, setting up Darnold and Allen to hold down the backup and third-string roles, respectively. Brock Purdy will retain the starting gig moving forward, but a Darnold departure would line up Allen for a new QB2 position.

The latter has only won two of his seven career starts while posting a passer rating of 78 along the way. While those figures help explain why he will no doubt be relegated to backup duties for the remainder of his career, he will once again be in a QB-friendly environment working with Shanahan for the 2024 campaign.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/10/24

March 10th, 2024 at 10:31pm CST by Ely Allen

With so many headline-grabbing transactions in the NFL today, here are a couple minor moves that may have slipped through the cracks:

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers signed Bartch off of the Jaguars’ practice squad in late November and saw him immediately contribute as a backup on offense and as a special teamer. In San Francisco, Bartch appeared in regular season games at all three interior line positions. He’ll bring that same versatility back to the Bay in 2024.

NFL Announces 2024 Compensatory Picks

March 8th, 2024 at 3:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL has awarded compensatory draft picks for teams in the 2024 draft. Based on an add/subtract formula that covers the 2023 free agency period, comp picks span from Round 3 to Round 7. The higher picks go to the teams that endured the most significant free agent losses.

This year, the NFL awarded 34 comp picks. The comp pick formula assigns picks to franchises who suffered the largest net losses, so teams that signed multiple free agents have a lesser chance of receiving picks. The CBA limits the total compensatory number to 32, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, who notes the Cowboys, Jaguars and Packers qualified for an additional comp pick based on the net loss formula.

The updated NFL format also rewards third-round comp picks to teams that saw a minority assistant coach land a head coaching job or a minority front office exec become a GM. Teams receive two third-round picks for losing an assistant or FO staffer to a top job, but the picks do not come in the same draft. The 49ers’ pipeline here is still flowing and will continue to do so into the 2025 draft, with Ran Carthon landing the Titans’ GM job last year and DeMeco Ryans becoming the Texans’ HC. The Rams collected the first of their two third-rounders for the Falcons’ Raheem Morris hire. The Buccaneers do not receive a comp pick for Dave Canales‘ Panthers move due to the Latino staffer being Tampa Bay’s OC for just one season.

Sorted by round and by team, here are the league’s 2024 compensatory selections.

By round:

Round 3: Jaguars (No. 96 overall), Eagles (No. 97), Rams (No. 98)*, 49ers (No. 99)*

Round 4: 49ers (No. 132), Bills (No. 133), Ravens (No. 134)

Round 5: Saints (No. 167), Packers (No. 168), Saints (No. 169), Eagles (No. 170), Eagles (No. 171), Chiefs (No. 172), Cowboys (No. 173), Saints (No. 174), 49ers (No. 175)

Round 6: Bengals (No. 208), Rams (No. 209), Eagles (No. 210), 49ers (No. 211), Jaguars (No. 212), Rams (No. 213), Bengals (No. 214), 49ers (No. 215), Cowboys (No. 216), Rams (No. 217), Jets (No. 218), Packers (No. 219), Buccaneers (No. 220)

Round 7: Chargers (No. 253), Rams (No. 254), Packers (No. 255), Jets (No. 256), Jets (No. 257)

* = special compensatory selection

By team:

  • Los Angeles Rams: 5
  • San Francisco 49ers: 5
  • Philadelphia Eagles: 4
  • Green Bay Packers: 3
  • New Orleans Saints: 3
  • New York Jets: 3
  • Cincinnati Bengals: 2
  • Dallas Cowboys: 2
  • Jacksonville Jaguars: 2
  • Baltimore Ravens: 1
  • Buffalo Bills: 1
  • Kansas City Chiefs: 1
  • Los Angeles Chargers: 1
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1

49ers To Extend RT Colton McKivitz

March 8th, 2024 at 12:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Letting five-year right tackle starter Mike McGlinchey walk in free agency last year, the 49ers went through with a low-cost replacement plan by promoting Colton McKivitz. The defending NFC champions appear satisfied with the first-year regular’s performance.

The 49ers are giving McKivitz a one-year extension that keeps him under contract through the 2025 season, according to his agency. McKivitz started all 20 49ers games last season. This deal will be worth $7MM, per the agency, which indicates 65% of the contract is fully guaranteed.

While it would not surprise to see the 49ers make a bigger investment at guard this offseason, they are set to return their tackles and center. Trent Williams ended suspense about a potential retirement early, indicating he is coming back for at 15th season. The 49ers also re-signed Jake Brendel in 2023. McKivitz, 27, is on track to stay in place up front for Kyle Shanahan‘s team.

It is a bit interesting McKivitz would take himself out of the 2025 free agency equation without getting more security. But the West Virginia alum has worked his way up from a fifth-round pick who spent his first three seasons as a backup. This marks a similar path to Brendel, who spent most of his career on the bench before Alex Mack‘s retirement produced a promotion.

With Williams on a high-end tackle deal, the 49ers let McGlinchey leave for a Broncos accord that included $52.5MM guaranteed — third-most among right tackles. Previously in place as San Francisco’s swing tackle, McKivitz had agreed to a two-year, $4.65MM 49ers re-up just before McGlinchey’s defection.

Pro Football Focus graded McKivitz as a mid-pack tackle, slotting him 47th last season. Excelling more on the ground compared to his pass protection, McKivitz held up for a full season. Chris Jones‘ crucial overtime pressure on Brock Purdy during Super Bowl LVIII came against McKivitz, though guard Jon Feliciano came out in defense of the young RT by seemingly placing the blame on his injury replacement (Spencer Burford).

The 49ers are exploring re-signing Feliciano and are looking into a Laken Tomlinson reunion, but while the San Francisco guard situation is unsettled, this McKivitz pact solidifies the other spots up front.

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