Niners add free-agent defensive end Evans

The 49ers have agreed to terms with free-agent defensive end Demetric Evans, formerly of the Washington Redskins. It is a two-year deal worth $3.8 million.

Evans visited the 49ers on Tuesday. He returned home to the East Coast to weigh the 49ers’ offer against returning to the Redskins.

 

Evans (6-foot-4, 287 pounds) started 11 games for the Redskins last season at left defensive end. He is known for being solid against the run and can get some push with his pass rush. Evans had a career-high 3.5 sacks last season. Evans, who has seven years of NFL experience, turns 30 in September.

 

Of course, the 49ers did not get Evans for his pass-rush skills. In the team’s 3-4 scheme, the pass rush is expected to come from the outside linebackers.

 

The 49ers did not make much of an attempt to re-sign defensive lineman Ronald Fields, who signed a two-year deal with the Broncos on Monday. Evans gives the 49ers six defensive linemen who figure to make the 49ers’ 53-man roster.

 

At the scouting combine, 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said the draft is thin at defensive line. So the 49ers are not expecting to get much – if any – defensive-line help in the draft.

 

Teams that play a 3-4 defense, such as the 49ers, generally keep six defensive linemen on their final roster. With today’s signing, the 49ers might already have their six men: Evans, Justin Smith, Isaac Sopoaga, Aubrayo Franklin, Kentwan Balmer and Ray McDonald.

 

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Evans becomes the sixth player the 49ers have added since the opening of the free-agent signing period on Thursday night. They re-signed linebacker Takeo Spikes and return specialist Allen Rossum, in addition to adding receiver Brandon Jones (Titans), fullback Moran Norris (Lions) and quarterback Damon Huard (Chiefs) to their roster.

 

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