The 49ers underwent a significant roster overhaul this offseason, with no position group impacted more than the defensive line. San Francisco parted ways with key contributors like Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, and Leonard Floyd. To address these losses, the team invested three draft picks to secure long-term replacements, selecting Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and CJ West.
These rookies will join All-Pro Nick Bosa and recent acquisition Bryce Huff in an effort to rejuvenate a pass rush and run defense that struggled throughout the 2024 season.
Still, our friends at Niner Noise suggest that the 49ers should at least consider adding one more piece to their defensive front—defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo, who the Cleveland Browns recently released.
Originally a fifth-round draft pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2018, Okoronkwo spent four seasons with the team before stints with the Houston Texans and Browns. He has recorded 12.5 sacks over the past three seasons and could provide valuable depth as a complementary piece within defensive line coach Kris Kocurek's group.
Niner Noise's Nick San Miguel acknowledges that the potential addition may seem redundant after trading for Huff, but given San Francisco's injury woes last year, adding another pass rusher could be wise.
"The defensive line looks decent for the Niners right now," San Miguel wrote, "but just one injury could make things look a lot different and could impact the team's ability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks."
Okoronkwo has totaled 17 career sacks and 38 quarterback hits, per Pro Football Reference. He is just a year removed from earning a 75.2 pass-rush grade and an 82.7 tackling grade—both career highs—from Pro Football Focus in 2023.
"Okoronkwo is not a perfect fit for the 49ers by any means, but he is a gamble that the team could take," San Miguel added. "If John Lynch feels that, after last year's abundant injuries, they should err on the side of too much depth, then it would make sense to bring the veteran to San Francisco."
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