Much of the San Francisco 49ers’ focus this offseason has to be on the interior of both sides of the trenches.
Defensive tackle is one of the biggest problem areas on the roster, while the 49ers may lose a starting guard with Aaron Banks set to hit unrestricted free agency.
The good news the 49ers will not be short of options through which to address both spots, with plenty of interior linemen on both sides of the ball set to be available in free agency and the draft boasting some compelling prospects at the two spots.
And Pro Football Focus believes the Niners represent the best landing spot for a prospective free agent at both positions.
PFF picked the 49ers as the ideal destination for Chicago Bears guard Tevin Jenkins and Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa.
Of Jenkins, PFF’s Mason Cameron writes:
“A series of nagging injuries plagued Jenkins’ 2024 campaign, but even still, he managed to produce well on the interior of this Bears’ offensive line. His 75.8 PFF pass-blocking grade stands as a career high for the 26-year-old guard after he allowed just a 3.8% pressure rate (also a career high).The Niners nailed their selection of Dominick Puni in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft but still need to build up their interior. Adding Jenkins to the left side would complement both Puni at the other guard spot and Trent Williams on the outside.”
Jenkins’ pass-blocking grade put him 10th among all guards with at least 200 pass-blocking snaps in 2024. For context, Banks (60.5) was 51st. On that evidence, Jenkins would be a big time upgrade who could help shore up the interior pass protection that has regularly been an issue for San Francisco.
A more glaring problem for the 49ers in 2024 was a consistent lack of interior pass rush after Javon Hargrave’s season was ended by injury in Week 3.
Odighizuwa would provide that in spades, at least on the evidence of his play this past season.
His 60 total pressures were tied fifth among all interior defensive linemen (min. 100 snaps), while he was outright fifth in pass rush win rate (15.1%).
Run defense is not his strong suit, but a 49ers team lacking any kind of depth on the interior defensive line in terms of difference makers may be willing to overlook that to land a pass rusher of his ability.
Still only 26, Odighizuwa has plenty of room to grow and become an even more dominant an even more dominant pass rusher.
With Hargrave set to be released with a post-June 1 designation, the 49ers need to find as many interior disruptors as they can get. Odighizuwa fits the bell, and there’s a strong case to be made that the 49ers would be wise to make a concerted push for his services come free agency.
