With several defensive linemen, including Chase Young and Clelin Ferrell, set to become unrestricted free agents next month, the San Francisco 49ers may prioritize edge rushers in the upcoming draft.
RELATED 49ers 2024 Pre-Draft Tracker: Visits, Meetings, Workouts, Picks
This week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, the 49ers held meetings with several defenders, including pass rushers Jonah Elliss from Utah, Javon Solomon from Troy, Austin Booker from Kansas, Darius Robinson from Missouri, and defensive end Braiden McGregor from Michigan.
Utah defensive end Jonah Eliss, whose dad and three brothers have all made it to the NFL (ridiculous genes) says he has met with the 49ers.
Day three prospect pic.twitter.com/KA9vhWg3b1
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) February 28, 2024
#Troy Edge Rusher Javon Solomon confirms he had an informal meeting with #49ers at the Senior Bowl, per @Graham_SFN pic.twitter.com/3tRufy0hZF
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) February 28, 2024
Kansas EDGE Austin Booker had formal interviews at the NFL Combine with the Dolphins, Steelers, 49ers & Panthers pic.twitter.com/1sND2U6HDr
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) February 28, 2024
#Mizzou EDGE Darius Robinson confirmed he has met with the #49ers, per @Graham_SFN pic.twitter.com/NQqej2Y1Cz
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) February 28, 2024
Michigan DE Braiden McGregor met with the 49ers at the Senior Bowl
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) February 28, 2024
The team may seek a younger player to complement star defensive end Nick Bosa, flanking Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave.
Those aren't the only defenders the 49ers met with at the NFL Scouting Combine. They also spoke with linebacker Cedric Gray from North Carolina and defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson from Texas A&M.
Cedric Gray says he's met with the #49ers
— Tar Heels Wire (@tarheelswire) February 28, 2024
The #49ers have held a formal meeting with #Aggies DT McKinnley Jackson, per @Graham_SFN pic.twitter.com/nhvwsiuLDV
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) February 28, 2024
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw's torn Achilles, suffered during the Super Bowl loss earlier this month, is expected to sideline him for at least the majority of the upcoming season.
"Achilles, they take some time, right? So you've got to respect that," general manager John Lynch said this week regarding the injury. "Now, having said that, I know that Dre. He's a special athlete. Those guys tend to heal faster, but I think with an Achilles, there's just a timeline that you kind of have to give it. You can be ultra-aggressive. You've also got to be smart, and so we will be."
These initial meetings merely skim the surface. NFL teams are allowed formal 18-minute interviews with up to 45 prospects during the week-long event in Indianapolis. Additionally, teams can engage with as many players as they wish in an informal capacity.