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49ers 2019 free agency tracker: Live updates, news and reports

By Chris Wilson

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 18: Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball against Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at the Georgia Dome on December 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 18: Tevin Coleman #26 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball against Jaquiski Tartt #29 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at the Georgia Dome on December 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Jordan Matthews #81 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Jordan Matthews #81 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

49ers sign Jordan Matthews, David Mayo

In a pair of directly corresponding moves, the Niners inked former Carolina Panthers linebacker David Mayo to a two-year deal, while also parting ways with linebacker Brock Coyle after two seasons in San Francisco.

Coyle announced his retirement from the NFL shortly thereafter.

Mayo should serve as a core special teams player and backup, particularly with Kwon Alexander coming off his ACL injury.

To help the team’s offensive woes, however, the 49ers are also bringing aboard 26-year-old wide receiver Jordan Matthews to help with an underachieving receiving corps which didn’t boast a single 500-yard wideout in 2018. The Niners offense also finished dead last in red-zone touchdown efficiency a year ago.

Matthews, 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, was initially drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in Round 2 of the 2014 NFL Draft, spending his 2017 season with the Buffalo Bills before returning to Philly last year.

Jordan Matthews Receiving Table
Game Game Rece Rece Rece Rece Rece Rece Rece Rece
Year Age Tm Pos No. G GS Tgt Rec Yds Y/R TD Lng Y/G Ctch% Fmb
2014 22 PHI WR 81 16 10 103 67 872 13.0 8 44 54.5 65.0% 0
2015 23 PHI WR 81 16 13 126 85 997 11.7 8 78 62.3 67.5% 2
2016 24 PHI WR 81 14 13 117 73 804 11.0 3 54 57.4 62.4% 1
2017 25 BUF wr 87 10 7 36 25 282 11.3 1 47 28.2 69.4% 1
2018 26 PHI wr 80 14 3 28 20 300 15.0 2 56 21.4 71.4% 0
Care Care 70 46 410 270 3255 12.1 22 78 46.5 4

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/14/2019.

Matthews’ numbers have taken a bit of a hit last season. But with a sub-4.50 time at his NFL Scouting Combine back in 2014, one can see how Kyle Shanahan would prefer to have a player with this combination of both size and speed.

It’s likely Matthews lines up as the 49ers’ primary Z receiver, replacing veteran wideout Pierre Garçon, whose 2019 option wasn’t picked up when the league’s new year began on Wednesday.

Next. 49ers' 15 best free-agent acquisitions of all time. dark

It might not be the big splash acquisition many Niners fans were hoping for at wide receiver. But this pickup should address some key shortcomings the team has at the position, especially if it takes pressure off landing a quality body early in the 2019 NFL Draft.