Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan Signing Free Agents to Teach Scheme to Rest of Roster

By Peter Panacy

Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) celebrates a fourth down stop during the second half of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Raiders won 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) celebrates a fourth down stop during the second half of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Raiders won 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Additions via Free Agency

San Francisco has largely stocked up on offense during the initial phases of free agency. This should lead us to believe general manager John Lynch will reinforce the defensive side of the ball via the NFL Draft.

But as is the case on offense, veterans will likely have to teach the younger players how to adjust to defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s scheme.

It’s why the 49ers brought in free agents with ties to Saleh as well. Namely linebacker Malcolm Smith.

Smith has ties to Saleh when both were with the Seattle Seahawks between 2011 and 2013 — the height of Seattle’s defensive dominance in the NFC West.

While Smith might not be a Pro Bowl-caliber addition to the Niners, he does understand the same kind of base defense — a 4-3 scheme with 3-4 personnel — the Seahawks featured and the 49ers are trying to emulate.

Additionally, nose tackle Earl Mitchell has ties with Saleh. Both were with the Houston Texans when Mitchell kicked off his NFL career in 2010.