Ouch, Faithful.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to ESPN\u2019s Mike Clay<\/a>, the 49ers have nothing to brag about when it comes to their defensive tackle room.\u00a0<\/p>\n And yes, that\u2019s considering that for years San Francisco has been characterized by its formidable defensive line, highlighted in recent deep runs in the NFL playoffs.<\/p>\n Now, Clay argues that there are plenty of concerns about San Francisco\u2019s defensive tackle situation.<\/p>\n \u201cDefensive tackle. I was tempted to go with the secondary, but the 49ers’ DT situation might be the worst in the league,\u201d Clay wrote in an article published Monday.<\/p>\n \u201cMaliek Collins<\/a> and Javon Hargrave<\/a> signed elsewhere, and the team’s only impact additions were draft picks Alfred Collins<\/a> (second round) and CJ West<\/a> (fourth).\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cJordan Elliott<\/a> (a rotational player) tops the depth chart, and competitors Kevin Givens<\/a>, Evan Anderson<\/a> and Kalia Davis<\/a> all played less than 30% of the team’s defensive snaps last season.\u201d<\/p>\n As Clay notes, the 49ers\u2019 problems at defensive tackle start with the fact that Hargrave and Collins departed in free agency. Hargrave was a Pro Bowler in 2024, while Collins started all 17 games for San Francisco in 2024.<\/p>\n San Francisco leveraged the 2025 NFL Draft to replace Hargrave and Collins, selecting Collins (43rd overall pick) and West (113th overall pick).<\/p>\n But even then, Clay suggests the 49ers could benefit by adding a veteran or moving some of their edge rushers inside.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Niners figure to add more help and\/or move Yetur Gross-Matos<\/a> and Sam Okuayinonu<\/a> inside more often,\u201d Clay concluded.\u00a0<\/p>\n San Francisco, apparently, has a lot of improvements to make at defensive tackle.<\/p>\n