The 49ers made the Super Bowl on star power, relying on the starters to deliver for a roster of haves and have-nots that lacked the role players in-between. On the first day of free agency, the Niners returned to an old path, a more balanced approach to restore a middle class.

Leonard Floyd agreed to a two-year deal for $20 million with another $4 million in incentives. Yetur Gross-Matos agreed to a two-year deal worth $18 million. The 49ers have also signed special teams star George Odum to a two-year deal worth up to $10 million with incentives.

Fans were hoping for a home run swing at edge to land Danielle Hunter. This is the first instance where the elephant in the room – Brock Purdy’s upcoming extension – may have driven a roster decision.

Floyd and Gross-Matos were both signed to two-year deals, Hunter is looking for at least a three-year contract. Purdy will be extended at the end of this upcoming season. The contract will be heavily backloaded but still needs to be accounted for in cap management.

In theory, Hunter could have been given a deal heavily loaded in the second year, but that can cause team cap impacts of its own.

Leonard Floyd

The Floyd acquisition shows the influence of recent arrival Assistant Head Coach Brandon Staley. Floyd is one of his favorite chess pieces and Staley has had great success with defenses utilizing Floyd at the point of attack.

The Niners remember the damage Floyd caused the last time he faced them with the Rams in 2022. A team-high nine tackles, two sacks, three quarterback hits, and two tackles for loss.

Floyd excelled as part of a five-man front, which Staley may utilize when working with defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen in forming game plans. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave also shined in a five-man front with Philadelphia.

Floyd will be 32 when the season begins. At Buffalo, he played 54% of the snaps with a focus on passing downs. With the Rams, Floyd was a capable run defender. The Niners will need to evaluate if Floyd can return to his larger role in the recent past or if he’ll need to be used more as a designated pass rusher now.