49ers defensive roster: Position-by-position breakdown from first look at OTAs

The San Francisco 49ers underwent a defensive makeover this offseason, making significant changes along the front. Unable to agree on a salary reduction with Arik Armstead, the team released the veteran defensive tackle, who subsequently signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 49ers signed Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos to bolster their pass rush and complement Nick Bosa. Addressing the interior of the defensive line, they traded for Maliek Collins and signed Jordan Elliott to mitigate the loss of Armstead. Team decision-makers ensured they brought in the right type of players to fit into the well-established locker room culture. "This building has a culture that's been established for a long time, starting from ownership on to Kyle (Shanahan)

Every NFL team feels optimistic in June, believing they have the pieces to succeed in the upcoming season. However, as the season progresses, many teams find themselves lagging behind their competition. The San Francisco 49ers expect to be among the front-runners, once again competing for a championship. They are among the favorites to win Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana, and for good reason. The Niners' roster is loaded with talent. Pro Football Focus contributor Dalton Wasserman recently assessed all 32 NFL teams and identified one reason for optimism for each. For example, quarterback Jayden Daniels spearheads the new-look

After representing the NFC in last season's Super Bowl, the San Francisco 49ers are once again poised as championship contenders for the upcoming 2024 season. The team has been to four NFC Championship Games and two Super Bowls over the past five seasons. Success begets popularity, as evidenced by the remarkable presence of six 49ers players in the NFLPA's rankings of officially

The San Francisco 49ers have had success signing their big-name players to contract extensions in recent years, securing deals with George Kittle, Fred Warner, Deebo Samuel, and Nick Bosa. However, that last one didn't get finalized until dangerously close to the start of the regular season. This year, the team has been trying to get a deal done with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. While the 49ers were confident early on, given their successful track record, that a deal would be reached, the two sides reportedly remain far apart in negotiations. Last week, Michael Silver of the San Francisco