DeForest Buckner is officially back with the San Francisco 49ers, sparking a massive shakeup that’s about to make their defensive line rotation something to behold. This isn’t just another move, it’s a strategic play to deepen their already strong unit, ensuring those guys stay fresh and explosive through the grind of the regular season.
The New D-Line Order and Who Gets Squeezed
With Buckner in, the 49ers’ preferred base-down defensive line is looking stacked: Nick Bosa, Buckner himself, Osa Odighizuwa, and Keion White. Think about that for a second. That’s a serious lineup to deal with! But it’s not just those four. The trade’s real beauty is the ability to rotate extensively, which is huge. Right now, Buckner already ranks third at his position with 353 defensive snaps, and Odighizuwa is right behind him at fourth with 345 snaps. From here on out, both of them should be playing at a less furious pace, keeping them fresh for when it really counts.
Beyond that core, guys like Mykel Williams, Gracen Halton, and Romello Height are all in the mix for serious snaps. The 49ers usually suit up one more defensive lineman on game day and keep two others on the active roster. Who gets that eighth spot? The best guess right now is James Thompson Jr., but it could easily go to Sebastian Valdez or CJ West, depending on who’s looking sharper each week. Khalid Kareem seems like the odd man out in this newly crowded room. And let’s not forget, CJ West is on injured reserve, so they can take their time bringing him back. Plus, in this league, it’s always possible another injury pops up, which means more opportunities for someone waiting in the wings.
Hunting For More: The Edge Rushers on San Francisco’s Radar
But wait, there’s more. The 49ers are also reportedly eyeing up other edge rushers. Josh Sweat from the Cardinals is apparently a perfect fit for a Raheem Morris type of player, though a trade there would mean the Cardinals would have to eat some dead money. Another name that makes a lot of sense is Yaya Diaby from the Buccaneers. He’s in the final year of his rookie contract, which always makes things interesting, and he even had a formal visit to Santa Clara before the 2023 draft. That history could mean something. Then there’s Will McDonald IV from the Jets. His team is sitting at a rough 2-5, and New York has other young, ascending players at his position, which could make him available. This tells you the 49ers aren’t just settling; they’re actively looking to upgrade wherever they can.
Garrett Wilson: A Game-Changing Receiver Worth Multi-Million Dollar Dead Cap?
And then there’s the big, speculative swing that has everyone buzzing: a potential trade for Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. We’re talking about a “Jeffery Simmons deal” level of commitment. The Jets would definitely incur some dead cap if they trade Wilson, a hefty $6.75 million through 2029 and another $4 million in 2030. Jets fans would point to that dead money as a huge reason not to trade their budding star. But there’s another side to that coin: the cap space the 49ers would save. We’re talking $16.5 million saved in 2027 alone, and over $29 million saved during the next two years.
Why Wilson? The guy is electric. You could clip together highlight reels of him breaking cornerbacks’ ankles, getting off the line of scrimmage with defenders hopping the wrong way, or making acrobatic catches down the field. There isn’t a route Wilson can’t run, and he could instantly become the future of the 49ers’ receiving corps. This kind of deal would likely cost multiple first-rounders, with the 49ers betting big that Wilson would produce far more, albeit far more expensively, than two future first-round picks. But that’s the trade-off. You’re paying to acquire Wilson on his current contract, skipping all the teaching and development time.
The 49ers are clearly not messing around this regular season. With Buckner already back and big trade discussions heating up, this team is making aggressive moves to solidify their roster. Keep an eye on how this newly deepened defensive line rotation plays out on the field, and whether the front office decides to pull the trigger on another blockbuster like a Wilson trade. It’s shaping up to be a wild stretch of football!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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