© Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
The wheels just keep turning, folks. Those concerns we had about the 49ers being able to create cap space to re-sign their free agents appear to have been at least slightly overblown. After a flurry of moves over the first few days of free agency, San Francisco will bring back a perhaps undervalued, or at least under-the-radar part of their defensive core in D.J. Jones.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the 49ers will re-sign Jones to a one-year deal.
The #49ers are re-signing DT D.J. Jones, source said, and he gets a 1-year deal. An underrated starter for them.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2021
Jones, 26, is coming off a career-high 3.0 sacks and a career-high 14 games played. He has improved steadily each year and when healthy, is a dominant nose tackle. He possesses a unique blend of speed and power highlighted by a quick-twitch athleticism that is rare for a 6-foot, 319-pound man.
Part of the concern with Jones is that his surprising athleticism, which is what makes him such a force, is likely what has contributed to myriad soft-tissue injuries over the last few years. He’s played in 44 of a possible 67 games, roughly two thirds.
There is, however, cause for optimism on that front as Jones has steadily become more available each year:
2017: 9 games
2018: 10 games
2019: 11 games
2020: 14 games
The 49ers’ defensive line now has its starting interior intact. Kerry Hyder is expected to be the most significant departure, but that secondary defensive end market has yet to come into focus yet. Here is roughly what the 49ers’ defensive line depth chart looks like:
#49ers' defensive line:
DE: Nick Bosa, Samson Ebukam
DT: Javon Kinlaw, Kevin Givens, Kentavius Street
DT: D.J. Jones, Darrion Daniels, Josiah Coatney
DE: Arik Armstead, (in theory, but probably not) Dee Ford, Daeshon HallStill very much bet they take a edge Round 1 or 2 https://t.co/7ijMesqMoE
— Jake Hutchinson (@hutchdiesel) March 17, 2021