49ers free agency: Grading each opening-wave move by John Lynch

John Lynch, 49ers signing Oren Burks

Charvarius Ward was the only “splash” signing the Niners made during the opening week, but an under-the-radar addition was grabbing former Green Bay Packers linebacker Oren Burks and signing him to a two-year deal.

Burks, who’ll turn 27 years old during the offseason, primarily served as a special teams ace for the Packers during his four-year tenure there, although he did manage to start three games in 2021 and finished the season with 36 tackles, two quarterback hits and half a sack.

This kind of signing isn’t going to move the radar much at all, but the need to upgrade special teams was something San Francisco had to think about nearly as much as it had to address the cornerback room.

Especially after special teams were such an issue last season, finishing as Football Outsiders‘ 26th-ranked unit.

If special teams improve in 2022 and Burks has something to do with it, this will go down as a quality signing.