The San Francisco 49ers are making the roster adjustments required for another successful season as they get ready for the next one. The secondary rotation was one of their worries last season, and the team’s most recent trade indicates that they’re still looking to bolster that rotation. According to Amiliano Fragoso of Sactown Sports, the 49ers signed cornerback Rock Ya-Sin to a one-year contract on Thursday.
Ya-Sin, a five-year veteran, played with the Indianapolis Colts for his first three seasons before playing for the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders. The defensive back has 196 total tackles—163 solo, 33 assisted—through 66 career games. In addition, he has 29 passes defended, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Ya-Sin was selected for Pro Football Focus’ All-Rookie Team during his rookie season.
Ya-Sin, Isaac Yiadom, and Chase Lucas will be freshmen in a backup lineup led by Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir. Ambry Thomas and Isaiah Oliver, in particular, were undoubtedly the two most important backup players for Lenoir and Ward in the corner position. Oliver has been cut off the squad as of late, therefore Thomas may have to fight for his third-position against Rock Ya-Sin, the newcomers, and the other corners that are still on the field.
With 3,642 opponent passing yards and 214.2 opponent passing yards per game (during the regular season), the 49ers’ passing defense finished 14th in the league last year. Although they aren’t inherently poor, a team vying for a championship will need to raise the scores, particularly when facing the best passing attacks in the NFL.
All things considered, the defense has been the primary focus of this offseason’s free agency adjustments. When Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, and Chase Young left the team, defensive end Leonard Floyd was signed by the 49ers to a two-year contract. Floyd, who was a vital member of the Los Angeles Rams’ winning squad in the 2021–2022 season, is anticipated to start opposite Nick Bosa in September. San Francisco also signed Yetur Gross-Matos, a former Carolina Panther, to bolster the outside defense.
The 49ers have added De’Vondre Campbell and Ezekiel Turner to their linebacker corps, while Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliot have taken over at defensive tackle and linebacker, respectively. Since Dre Greenlaw is still recovering from an Achilles injury he sustained during the Super Bowl, Campbell in particular will undoubtedly be asked to relieve Fred Warner.
Furthermore, the 49ers may continue adding new players to their defense in preparation for the upcoming season, given that the NFL Draft is just two weeks away.
Taking everything into account, San Francisco should expect another postseason run because the majority of its stars and core players are still under contract. Given how near they were to winning it all only a few months ago, the 49ers are undoubtedly aiming for nothing less than a championship.