The San Francisco 49ers have parted ways with a few of their big-game defensive players this offseason, with the majority of them being older.
To replace them, the team selected a bundle of defensive players in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Niners made 11 selections through the three days of the draft, and six of them were on the defensive side of the ball.
Additionally, of course ...
The team brought back Robert Saleh to once again be their defensive coordinator, and he explained in a recent press conference that he wanted to make his defense younger.
“A really cool group of kids that are coming in, all are going to have an opportunity to compete, to get significant playing time this year,” said Saleh, who last year was fired as the head coach of the New York Jets, setting up this reunion on Kyle Shanahan's staff. “But, it's exciting to get an injection of youth to go along with a lot of the veterans that we have on this football team. So, it's exciting. It's going to be fun to work with them.”
The 49ers were in the top 10 this past season in terms of yards allowed, as they only gave up 317 total yards per game. But with the number of players the 49ers lost, such as Charvarius Ward and Dre Greenlaw, the team needed to fill the void they left behind.
Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams was the team’s first-round pick at No. 11. While some have questioned whether or not he deserved to go that high, the athleticism he possesses at his position is undeniable.
San Francisco has taken pride in their defense over the last several seasons, and the incoming rookies will be hoping they can continue that tradition. ... with Saleh overseeing the "injection of youth.''
