The San Francisco 49ers have announced the signing of wide receiver Nick Williams to a one-year deal. The team has released veteran linebacker Malcolm Smith in a corresponding move, which was first reported by Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
The Washington Redskins signed Williams as an undrafted free agent out of Connecticut in 2013. In five NFL seasons spent with Washington (2013), the Atlanta Falcons (2015-17), Tennessee Titans (2018), and Los Angeles Rams (2018), Williams registered 30 receptions for 280 yards and two touchdowns through 26 games. He was signed by the Denver Broncos on July 26, 2019, and released on August 26.
RELATED 49ers releasing veteran LB Malcolm Smith, per Mike Garafolo
Williams played for Kyle Shanahan for two seasons (2015-16) in Atlanta when the 49ers head coach was the Falcons' offensive coordinator.
The 49ers initially signed Smith to a five-year deal on March 9, 2017, but the linebacker restructured his contract this offseason to remain with the 49ers in 2019 with the remaining years on the agreement voided on March 17. Smith registered 35 tackles and one pass defensed in two seasons with San Francisco.
Smith's 2019 salary cap hit would have been $5.54 million. The 49ers incur a cap hit of $4.2 million with his release, which computes to a net savings of $1.34 million after the linebacker's release, per OverTheCap.com.
The move could open the door for rookie Dre Greenlaw, a fifth-round pick, to start at the SAM linebacker spot.