The San Francisco 49ers weren't super active in free agency, but their small group of signings could hold down some important roles this season.
We sifted through all of their additions in free agency (and via waivers) to find out just what jobs those players could fill. There's a chance some of their free agent signings don't make the team. We're operating as though they all will be on the roster, and we're projecting roles based on that with some caveats for changes that come after the draft.
Here's what role we think each 49ers free agent will take on in 2025:
QB Mac Jones
Role: Backup QB
Outside of an injury to starting quarterback Brock Purdy there's nowhere else for Jones to really go on the depth chart. Perhaps the 49ers draft a QB who blows everyone away in training camp and pushes for the QB2 job, but that seems unlikely.
WR Demarcus Robinson
Role: Fourth WR
There's a chance Robinson begins the year as the third wide receiver if Brandon Aiyuk misses time. If Aiyuk misses time and Ricky Pearsall struggles out of the gate in his second season, Robinson could be elevated to WR2 alongside Jauan Jennings.
TE Luke Farrell
Role: Backup TE
Tight end is a position San Francisco could add multiple times via the draft. A quality rookie TE could easily push Farrell into a third TE role, particularly if that rookie is a quality pass catcher. Farrell is a versatile blocker who will at least open camp as the No. 2 TE.
LB Luke Gifford
Role: Special teams contributor
Gifford is a fine special teams player. He may get looks as the starting Sam linebacker, but he doesn't figure to factor into the starting Will LB job as an every down player alongside Fred Warner.
CB Siran Neal
Role: Special teams contributor
Neal has carved out a really nice career as a special teams ace. That's where his job with the 49ers is most likely to be as well.
CB Tre Brown
Role: Third CB/Special teams
It wouldn't be a surprise if Brown winds up as the third starting CB alongside Renardo Green and Deommodore Lenoir. He played 1,169 defensive snaps across four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. There will be opportunities for him to carve out a significant defensive role.
CB Tre Tomlinson
Role: Third CB/Special teams
Tomlinson doesn't have the NFL chops Brown has, but he was a good prospect coming out of the NFL draft and he'll have a real shot to earn a starting gig after being claimed off waivers by the 49ers just ahead of free agency. He only played 45 defensive snaps as a rookie, and missed all of last season after going on IR late in training camp.
DB Jason Pinnock
Role: Reserve safety/Special teams contributor
Pinnock may get opportunities to battle for a starting safety job, but his versatility to play corner and safety make him a valuable reserve in a thin 49ers safety room.
S Richie Grant
Role: Starting safety
If Ji'Ayir Brown loses his starting job, don't be surprised if Grant is the player who takes it. He's a versatile player in the vein of Jimmie Ward who had a ton of success when Robert Saleh was the 49ers defensive coordinator. Grant lined up all over the field for the Falcons in 2022 and 2023 before being relegated to a backup role last season. He may have a ...
