The San Francisco 49ers swung a trade for defensive tackle Khalil Davis last November. The veteran is a free agent, but it seems unlikley the Niners will bring him back since they are already largely set on their defensive line.
The Niners snagged Davis from the Houston Texans in an under-the-radar trade right before the trade deadline last season. It was not the big blockbuster trade for a Maxx Crosby-type player that some were hoping for, but was instead more of a depth move.
Davis did not play much for the 49ers. He appeared in three games and recorded three tackles.
That lack of production helps explain why the Niners have not re-signed him, but another key reason is they addressed shortcomings via the NFL Draft.
San Francisco essentially cleared the deck ahead of the draft by releasing Leonard Floyd and Maliek Collins, two veterans who were solid for the 49ers in 2024 but who were obviously not getting any younger.
The Niners went heavy on defense in the draft early on, specifically on their D-line. This strategy made a lot of sense given the struggles they had with the D-line in recent seasons and the fact that an infusion of youth and energy was clearly needed on an aging team.
Now, the 49ers have young defensive players like Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and C.J. West who figure to be the heartbeat of the team's defensive line next season. With that infusion of youth in the trenches, there is simply no need for a veteran like Davis even if he could have some experience to bring to the table.
It is clear the 49ers wanted to get more dynamic with their front four and have done just that. There will almost certainly be growing pains with this new crop of young D-linemen as they adjust to the rigors and competition of the NFL, but this strategy is more exciting than signing veteran defenders who may have lost a step or two at this point in their careers.
Maybe last offseason the Niners would have brought Davis back, but with their new strategy going into this offseason it makes complete sense that the team would focus more on their youth movement and trying to mold their rookies into legit NFL talent.
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