The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have re-signed DL Jordan Willis to a one-year deal.
The 49ers originally acquired Willis in a trade with the New York Jets on October 27, 2020. In 2021, Willis finished with 15 tackles, a career-high 3.0 sacks and one forced fumble in 10 games played. His pressure on Dak Prescott led to the game-deciding touchdown in San Francisco’s NFC Wild Card win against the Dallas Cowboys. The following week Willis recorded a blocked punt in San Francisco’s NFC Divisional win against the Green Bay Packers on special teams.
According to reports, the 49ers have also agreed to terms with CB Dontae Johnson and RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
Johnson played in 19 games for San Francisco in 2021, including four starts. In a win-or-go-home matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in week 18, Johnson replaced K’Waun Williams in the slot, before moving to safety when Jaquiski Tartt went down with an injury. In San Francisco’s NFC Divisional win against the Green Bay Packers, Johnson moved to the outside, starting in place of Ambry Thomas. This type of versatility makes Johnson a favorite among the 49ers coaching staff.
Jeff Wilson Jr missed the first eight games of 2021 due to a torn meniscus suffered after practice on May 20. Wilson made his season debut in a Week 10 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium. Over the final nine weeks of the regular season, Wilson had 79 rushing attempts, 294 yards, and two touchdowns.
As they did last offseason, the 49ers again have taken a measured approach to free agency, adding a few players in positions of need while bringing back key depth pieces.
Through the first official week of free agency the 49ers have added:
CB Charvarius Ward
LB Oren Burks
S George Odum
WR Ray-Ray McDonald
DL Hassan Ridgeway
The 49ers have re-signed:
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
OL Daniel Brunskill
LB Demetrius Flanigan-Fowles
DL Kevin Givens
DL Maurice Hurst
RB JaMycal Hasty
OL Colton McKivitz
QB Nate Sudfeld
DL Jordan Willis
CB Dontae Johnson
RB Jeff Wilson Jr
The 49ers have lost:
LG Laken Tomlinson
DT D.J. Jones
RB Raheem Mostert
RB Trenton Cannon
WR Trent Sherfield
OL Tom Compton
DL Kentavius Street
This is pretty much the plan they followed last offseason as well. Signing many of their own and adding some smaller FA signings along the way. Of the players they lost the only really significant loss in my opinion is Tomlinson because we don’t know if there is an option on the roster to replace him. Hopefully it’s Banks but they may still sign somebody before TC.
Willis showed some growth in the last year. He missed time, as I recall, for a drug infraction early last season but was a help when he got back after 6 weeks off.
We will need a really good draft to be fully competitive against LA in 2022-2023.
This should probably exactly be what their top seven draft picks should be:
G
DT
RB
RB
WR
OL
DL
Not necessarily in this order
Shish
* Denver just signed CB K’Waun Williams to a 2 year deal, leaving the 9ers with a glaring need for a slot CB . The 9ers can replace him with 28 Y/O FA Donte Deayon.
Spotrac shows Deavon 2021 salary with the Ram was $920K for 1 year.
* Not sure why your draft lists both G and OL, unless OL is for an OT to fill in for RT McGlinchey, if he is slow
to recover from a torn quadriceps?
* I would add an EDGE rusher to your draft pick list, unless that’s what you mean by DL? It’s possible the 9er FO
is convinced Samson Ebukam and Jordon Willis fills the need to replace Ford?
* I ‘d also add a Center to your draft pick list, as Alex Mack has yet to decide if he’ll retire? Even if he decides to
play another year, it would be prudent to draft his replacement this year and give him a chance to learn from
Mack, one of the best. Kentucky Center, Luke Fortner, should be available at draft pick #105
We’ve signed Kerry Hyder, but neither he nor Wllis bring that instant pressure that Arden Key did.
Sorry to see Mostert go, too. He’s great and fun to watch. Not having him and also not having a super-fast wide receiver makes us that much easier to defend.
The player to watch for in the Arden Key role this year is Charles Omenihu. He seems to be at his best when rushing from inside.