3 free agents 49ers should target after 2020 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Defensive Tackle Damion Square
The 49ers defensive line traded out DeForest Buckner and brought aboard Javon Kinlaw, which helps alleviate the starting cast. And while the Niners aren’t going to pick up the fifth-year option for their 2017 first-round NFL Draft pick, defensive end Solomon Thomas, he’ll at least revert back to being a rotational player.
But there are still question marks about the D-line’s depth.
Losing defensive tackle Sheldon Day to NFL free agency hurts a bit, and additional backups have injury questions. Ronald Blair, Jullian Taylor and Kentavius Street are all coming off injuries in 2019. And out of those three, only Blair has solidified himself as a reliable and capable backup.
Getting a decent nose tackle backup seems to be a good idea, considering the starter, D.J. Jones, also ended up on injured reserve last season.
Jones is pegged to start again. Yet there aren’t too many quality backups behind him on San Francisco’s current roster.
At 31 years old, former Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Damion Square wouldn’t be anything more than a rotational depth piece. But he has familiarity in a defensive scheme similar to what the Niners operate, and he’s only two seasons removed from an 11-start, three-sack campaign.
Square could support the depth needs the Niners have up front, and he’d likely come on a veteran’s minimum contract.