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The San Francisco 49ers defensive line is expected to be much-improved in 2019. Defensive tackle D.J. Jones hopes to be a big part of the beefed-up unit and has been impressed by the offseason additions.
The 49ers made it a point this year to improve the pass rush. The team tied for No. 22 in the league last year when it comes to getting to opposing quarterbacks. San Francisco already had Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who recorded a career-high and team-high 12 sacks last season. No one else on the roster even came close.
Buckner is the uncontested leader among the group. In just three NFL seasons, he has cemented himself as one of the best defensive linemen in the game, no matter what
NFL Network might try to tell you.
Jones, who is entering his third NFL season, is learning a lot form his typically soft-spoken Pro Bowl teammate, who prefers to lead and teach by example.
"I feel like [Buckner is] a guy that goes out there and shows you what to do," Jones told reporters on Sunday. "He ain't got to be the vocal leader, but he shows you better than he can tell you."
The 49ers added pass rushers Dee Ford and
Nick Bosa to add more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, hopefully freeing up Buckner to have another breakout season.
Jones hopes the upgrades will also create more opportunities for him. He believes the defensive front now has unbelievable depth and potential. They just need to put it all together, now.
"Everybody on the D-line is capable of starting, is capable of going out there and making plays," Jones said. "It doesn't matter if you're with the ones, twos, or threes, there's guys out there that can help you, and you can help them."
Jones does not have a quarterback sack on his resume despite appearing in 19 games with four starts in his two NFL seasons. He used this offseason to work on improving his pass rush skills.
"I need to get to the quarterback," Jones told reporters. "We all do."
The pass rush wasn't the only area with room for improvement. The 49ers defense set new NFL records for the fewest turnovers in a single season with seven, four fewer than the previous record. That included a league-low two interceptions, also a new NFL record for the fewest in a single season. Creating turnovers has become a point of emphasis this offseason.
"You've just got to be aggressive," Jones said. "Turnovers are going to come as long as you play good defense. Get the offense to second-and-long, third-and-long, you'll make turnovers. Just keying in on that.
"We're trying to attack the ball, and go for the ball every time. The D-line is running to the ball. Guys like Damontre Moore are pushing us to rip the ball every time."
With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, it's common for the rumor mill to start churning, especially with players who are actively seeking a new contract. It was just two short years ago that WR Deebo Samuel requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers prior to draft day, only for cooler heads to prevail and eventually agree to a new deal.
Now, it's WR Brandon Aiyuk's turn to try and get paid and rumors surfaced over the weekend that he too would request to be dealt. While that report was quickly shot down by his agent, there's still a lot of discussion about Aiyuk's future and if other teams will come calling on draft night.
Legendary columnist Mike Silver joined
While most expect the San Francisco 49ers to target an offensive lineman with their first-round pick, NFL Media lead draft writer Eric Edholm has the team going in another direction with the No. 31 overall pick. In his final mock draft of the year, Edholm has the team selecting former Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, who also goes by "Johnny."
"If you're worried Newton's skill set overlaps too much with that of Javon Hargrave, consider that Hargrave is set to hit the salary cap at more than $28 million in the 2025 season -- when he'll be 32 years old," Edholm explained. "As a relentless scheme-wrecker, Newton would help alleviate the
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
