The 49ers didn't have an answer at swing tackle after the NFL Draft, but a quick free-agent move pretty much solves that need.
The San Francisco 49ers shocked plenty of fans and analysts alike by not selecting an offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Granted, the tackle class wasn't particularly great. And, even if the Niners were honing in on one, there were apparent instances when the draft board simply didn't fall their way.
San Francisco's need was made apparent after losing swing tackle Jaylon Moore in free agency to the Kansas City Chiefs. Moore, who admirably filled in for All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams late last season, was one of those overlooked commodities who didn't earn a lot of recognition (aside from KC) but was nevertheless vital on the depth chart when called upon.
Thankfully, even though the draft didn't produce desired results, there's always the remaining crop of free agents to look at.
This is precisely what the 49ers opted to do.
49ers ink veteran D.J. Humphries as likely swing tackle
The Niners seem content with an aging Williams and an embattled right tackle Colton McKivitz to start heading into 2025, but replacing Moore was a necessity.
So, as reported by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler the Tuesday after the draft concluded, San Francisco signed 31-year-old veteran lineman D.J. Humphries to fill the void:
Veteran offensive tackle D.J. Humphries is signing with the #49ers, per his agency @SportsAmdg.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 29, 2025
Humphries, who started two games for the Kansas City Chiefs last season, spent the rest of his career with the 49ers' division rivals, the Arizona Cardinals, after they made him a first-round draft choice out of Florida back in 2015.
Since then, the 6-foot-5 tackle started 100 games and even earned a Pro Bowl nod out in Arizona back in 2021.
Having played extensively within the NFC West will give Humphries an advantage, yes, one the Niners will surely look to exploit between now and the regular season.
While the exact details of the contract aren't yet known, the lack of depth elsewhere on the O-line likely points to Humphries making the 53-man roster by the time Week 1 rolls around.
As such, San Francisco won't have to count upon an underwhelming backup or castoff free-agent pickup mid-season to fill in for either Williams or McKivitz if one of the latter two suffers an injury.