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The San Francisco 49ers continued their spending spree towards improving their special teams unit, signing former Indianapolis Colts safety George Odum to a three-year deal worth up to $10.95 million total.
Prior to the Odum signing, the 49ers addressed special teams via two other free agents, bringing in former Green Bay Packers linebacker Oren Burks and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud to bolster a unit that ranked amongst the worst in the NFL in 2021.
Was the Odum deal worth it?
The 28-year old safety was an All-Pro special-teamer in 2020, when he racked up 20 special teams tackles, which led the NFL, showcasing his skills as a fairly stout tackling safety.
Odum was utilized more defensively in 2021 by the Colts, starting seven games, and played 43% of the team's defensive snaps, which was, by far, a career-high for the veteran.
However, as a safety, Odum didn't have the best production, allowing a passer rating of 122.9, while also giving up 3 touchdowns in coverage on just 28 targets, of which 19 were receptions.
The Odum deal signifies that the 49ers likely are not adding another safety via free agency, and are instead placing their focus towards the draft at the position, where the team's now expected to select a safety with one of their prime selections.
Currently, the 49ers have Jimmie Ward, Tarvarius Moore, Talanoa Hufanga, and now George Odum as the safeties on the roster. For reference, the 49ers carried just four safeties on the roster in 2021, although that number seems like it will increase for the 2022 season.
While I applaud the 49ers for tackling their special-teams issues ferociously, I'm skeptical about the Odum signing because of the amount of talent still remaining in free agency at the safety position.
Players like Terrell Edmunds, Jabrill Peppers, Keanu Neal, Jayron Kearse, Damontae Kazee, Jaquiski Tartt, Deshon Elliott, and Landon Collins are all still unsigned, showcasing how the safety market might not match the availability that's present.
Why does this matter? Well, the 49ers' urgency to pay a predominantly special-teams player, and giving a three-year deal in the process, seems a bit rushed when the value of Odum could have dropped as free agency continued.
Had the 49ers waited, they could have gotten a better safety at an even more premium price, or signed Odum to a cheaper and less-taxing contract when he wouldn't receive many safety snaps in the first place.
If you want to argue Odum isn't worth $10 mil over 3 years, that's certainly your prerogative. However, I'd suggest we wait and see what the details of contract are before passing judgement. Marathe tends to be pretty creative with these contracts, and generally makes them team friendly. Also, we have no way of knowing he would have been available later on for a lower price. Maybe he would have, but maybe not.
No Huddle Podcast: 49ers Offseason Musings With Legendary Columnist Mike Silver
By Site Staff
Apr 16
(Episode 330) — Legendary columnist Mike Silver joins the show to discuss the Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors and trade value, priorities in the secondary, Mike's book, and more! You can read Mike's work at the San Francisco Chronicle.
The audio for the show is embedded above. Remember to subscribe!
You can watch the interview below.
You can listen to the latest "No Huddle Podcast" episode above, from
7-round mock draft has 49ers adding 2 legacy players
By David Bonilla
Apr 22
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus unveiled a seven-round mock draft for the San Francisco 49ers, addressing several key needs for the team in the 10-pick projection. Interestingly, the mock draft sees the team adding two legacy players. But before delving into that, let's examine the first three selections.
Sikkema has the 49ers shoring up their offensive line at pick No. 31 with the selection of former Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan.
Morgan allowed 14 pressures and two sacks in his 477 pass-blocking snaps at left tackle in 2023. He earned an impressive pass-blocking grade of 87.3 and an overall grade of
Daniel Jeremiah's final mock draft has 49ers adding another weapon for Brock Purdy
By David Bonilla
22 hrs
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah unveiled his fourth and final mock draft, projecting the San Francisco 49ers to select Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy with the No. 31 overall pick.
While many anticipated the 49ers bolstering their offensive line in the first round, Jeremiah's choice may raise eyebrows. However, with seven offensive tackles already off the board, he opted to provide third-year quarterback Brock Purdy with another explosive target.
"This is my favorite fit in the first round," Jeremiah explained. "We saw what Tank Dell did in a similar offensive system with Houston, and we know what Mike McDaniel has been able to build with so much
Schrager mock draft has 49ers adding 'universally liked and respected' receiver
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
With only nine days remaining until the start of the 2024 NFL Draft, Good Morning Football's Peter Schrager revealed his first mock draft of the year. While most might expect the San Francisco 49ers to target an offensive lineman, Schrager has the team bolstering its wide receiver corps with an SEC talent.
Schrager has the 49ers using the No. 31 overall pick to select former Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey, whose 2023 campaign with the Bulldogs was limited by back and ankle injuries.
"McConkey in the first round? Yes," Schrager wrote. "Above guys like Troy Franklin and Keon Coleman? Perhaps. I've spoken to a
