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The 49ers have released 31-year old offensive tackle Jonas Jennings. Jennings played in 2 games (both starts) for the Niners last season. In four years with the 49ers, Jennings only played in 23 games (all starts). That’s the biggest reason the 49ers have released Jennings is because of lack of durability because he’s still a effective player when healthy.
The 49ers have signed 30-year old OT Marvel Smith to a 2-year, $10.5 million dollar contract. Smith is a huge guy at 6′5″, 321 pounds and he’s a solid run blocker which is what the Niners want to do on offense this season. Smith only played in 5 games (all starts) last season for the Steelers due to injury. He has now played in 111 games (108 starts) in his 9-year NFL career. This is a nice upgrade for the Niners’ O-Line heading into 2009.
Last April’s Draft could look a lot better down the road for the 49ers than it did in 2008. DE Kentwan Balmer (1st rounder) played in all 16 games (0 starts) last season and he made only 7 tackles and defensed 1 pass. In the 2nd round the 49ers might have found a future starter in guard Chilo Rachal. Rachal played in 8 games (6 starts) as a rookie for the Niners last season. The Niners expected much more from CB (3rd rounder) Reggie Smith who played in 3 games (0 starts) last season and he made 3 whole tackles. 4th rounder (center) Cody Wallace was inactive for the whole 2008 season. In the 6th round the Niners might have found a impact player for the future in WR Josh Morgan. Morgan played in 12 games (1 start) for the 49ers last season and he caught 20 passes for 319 yards (16.0 avg) with 3 TD grabs. He also made 4 tackles last season. He should be a starter as early as 2009 for the Niners. OLB Larry Grant was a 7th round pick for the 49ers last season and he was cut and then was signed by the Rams.
GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON: C-
GRADE FOR THE FUTURE: B-
The 49ers have signed 23-year old linebacker Mark Washington to a 1-year deal. He did not play in the NFL last season and he only has three games of NFL experience in his career and one whole tackle. Washington might have an upside that no one else knows about.
The 49ers have signed 29-year old DE Demetric Evans. Evans played in all 16 games for the Redskins last season and he made 33 tackles, defensed 2 passes and sacked the QB 3.5 times. He has now played in 96 games in his NFL career and he has made 147 tackles, defensed 11 passes, has 13 sacks and he has forced 3 fumbles. Evans should provide some quality depth at DE for the 49ers in 2009.