The 49ers’ 2020 offseason has been relatively busy for a team that went in aiming for continuity.
A slew of trades highlighted both the 49ers’ free-agency period and their draft. Now the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the NFL calendar into an unprecedented state of uncertainty where preseason has been cancelled, training camp rosters have been cut to 80, and nearly 70 players opting out of the 2020 campaign.
Here’s a quick recap of what happened to the 49ers in the offseason:
Key free agent signings
OL Tom Compton
Compton embodies the type of free agent the 49ers set out to acquire this offseason. He’s an experienced, versatile interior offensive lineman who played in Kyle Shanahan’s offense in Washington. He also spent time with the Jets and Vikings, and will contend for the starting right guard job.
DE Dion Jordan
The 49ers could benefit from some added quality in their defensive end depth chart. Jordan, a former No. 3 overall pick, hasn’t lived up to his draft status, but he offers a good low-risk, high-reward option as a rotational piece on the 49ers’ defensive line.
DE Kerry Hyder
Hyder is a little bit like Jordan. His best season came in 2016 when he had 8.0 sacks for the Lions under now-49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek. Hyder suffered an Achilles injury the following year and hasn’t been able to replicate his success from that 2016 campaign. After spending 2019 with the Cowboys and earning one sack in 16 games, he reunites with Kocurek in San Francisco.
CB Jamar Taylor
The 49ers signed Taylor when they let go of cornerback Teez Tabor. It looked like a somewhat inconsequential signing at the time, but DJ Reed was claimed by Seattle off waivers leaving a spot open on the cornerback depth chart. Taylor has experience in the slot and outside and could wind up making the club as a backup to nickel corner K’Waun Williams.