San Francisco just made a head-scratching move, ditching their 2023 seventh-round tight end Brayden Willis to make space for veteran long snapper Jon Weeks. Yeah, you heard that right, a *long snapper* coming off the practice squad and onto the active roster for Week 1. This isn’t just a roster shuffle, it’s a peek into what they’re truly prioritizing right now.
The Brayden Willis Saga: A Puzzling Call
Let’s be real, this whole Brayden Willis situation felt weird from the jump. He’s been bouncing on and off the 49ers’ roster for a couple of seasons now, and honestly, keeping him over undrafted rookie Bryson Eason was always a puzzling decision. Eason put down some really good film during preseason, showing he was worth developing, while Willis’s consistent contribution just wasn’t there. Sure, he had a couple of impressive blocks, but on a down-to-down basis, Willis wasn’t going to be a major factor. He got 32 special teams snaps in preseason and didn’t even register a single solo tackle. With Kyle Juszczyk practicing and George Kittle returning to the field, it was clear Willis wasn’t going to see much playing time. Still, cutting a draft pick just like that to open up a spot for a long snapper? That’s a bold move so early in the season.
Aging Veterans or Rookies: The 49ers’ Depth Dilemma
It looks like the 49ers are already trying to patch up some serious gaps, especially on their lines. The talk around the league is they need more pass rush help. Bringing in a guy like Denico Autry, the 36-year-old defensive tackle, could be an immediate boost. He’s stacked up 36 pressures and seven sacks over his last two years on 405 pass rush snaps. While his every-down usefulness might have waned, he could easily be their best rotational DT option from day one. They’re letting Alfred Collins and CJ West figure it out in their second seasons, but they might need to make that call to Autry if the depth keeps showing cracks.
And it’s not just the defense. On the offensive line, Kevin Zeitler, another 36-year-old veteran, is a name being tossed around. He’s played right guard his entire 14-year career, but he was still productive with the Tennessee Titans last year. The idea is he could slide into left guard, immediately strengthening their O-line depth chart by pushing other potential starters into reserve roles. They should have signed him the minute Robert Jones, Connor Colby, or Carver Willis failed to assert themselves at left guard.
As the 49ers gear up for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, every single one of these roster calls is under the microscope. These early decisions are shaping how their season will look, and right now, they’re showing they’re willing to make some tough, and perhaps questionable, choices to get ready.
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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