The San Francisco 49ers have the luxury of being able to res this week due to attaining the 1 seed in the NFC with an impressive, albeit not demonstrative of their full capabilities, 12-5 record.
The 49ers, along with fellow 1 seed, the Baltimore Ravens, are the only sides who can truly boast elite units on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Brock Purdy put together a near MVP caliber season, and with weapons like George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, the Niners may have the best skill player quad in the National Football League.
On defense, the Niners have been just as prolific, boasting the league’s 3rd best defense in points, 5th in turnovers and 8th in total yardage under the tutelage of likely head coaching candidate, Steve Wilks. Yet, after losing Jason Verrett to a season ending injury, the San Francisco 49ers are desperate for some veteran presence at the position as they head into the playoffs, where depth and playoff experience are invaluable.
Now it seems like they could be on the verge of signing a player with plenty of experience and credentials, per Ari Meirov.
Free agent CB Casey Hayward worked out for the #49ers today. pic.twitter.com/HnC5s9w5Vq
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 10, 2024
How Will This Impact The San Francisco 49ers Defense?
The 49ers defense, as described above, is already a formidable unit, however, if one had to pick at one section of it, it would almost certainly be the secondary.
Amidst one of the league’s premier pass rushing units, featuring former DPOY, Nick Bosa, All-Pro Javon Hargrave, former 2nd overall pick, Chase Young, and perennial inside/outside dual threat, Arik Armstead, the D-Line is quite possibly the league’s best. Moreover, the Niners boast two of the NFL’s top 10 off-the-ball linebackers in Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner – Warner himself vying to be the league’s best at the position.
At corner, however, it is not the same story, Isaiah Oliver has failed to replicate the kind of form he shoed in 2022 for the Atlanta Falcons, and outside corner Deommodore Lenoir has showed himself to be a liability at times.
Whilst Hayward’s best days are clearly behind him, adding him to an otherwise stacked 49ers roster would no doubt aid the Niners in their efforts to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2019-20 season, and win their first since 1995, with Steve Young as the quarterback – nearly three decades ago.
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