If there's one conclusion that can be gleaned from the San Francisco 49ers' efforts so far in the 2026 offseason, it's that general manager John Lynch and Co. weren't satisfied with their defensive line the previous season and before.
Not surprising, considering the Niners were both vulnerable against the run and also registered a league-low 20 sacks over the course of 2025.
This meant a sizable revamping of the D-line, headlined by the big-deal trade with the Dallas Cowboys for a notable interior presence in defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, and San Francisco doubled down on those efforts by drafting Oklahoma defensive tackle Gracen Halton, who might make an impact right away.
It's not the best of news for incumbent players toward the fringes of the 49ers roster, particularly defensive tackle Evan Anderson.
Evan Anderson appears to have fallen out of favor with 49ers
Anderson, once a promising undrafted free agent out of Florida Atlantic, seemed to be on the fast track to a significant role his rookie 2024 season, indicated by signing a first contract that included $280,000 in guarantees—unusual for a UDFA player.
While he didn't make the original 53-man roster that year, Anderson was nevertheless activated and ultimately appeared in 12 games that season, notching 24 tackles, two quarterback hits and even a sack, suggesting he could be a serviceable backup with some modest upside.
But that all collapsed in 2025 when Anderson was relegated back to being a mere practice squad presence.
And, despite the Niners struggling against both the run and pass last season amid a campaign strewn with injuries, Anderson didn't get the call-up.
49ers' offseason moves suggest bleak future for Evan Anderson
Odighizuwa and Halton are the bigger names already helping ensure Anderson has little chance of making the 53-man roster, while fellow interior linemen like Alfred Collins and C.J. West also appear to have significantly better shots at more prominent roles.
Instead, depth names like Sebastian Valdez and 2026 undrafted rookie Bryson Eason figure to be the names Anderson has to overtake to even stand a chance.
With zero in guaranteed money on his current reserve/futures deal, the likelihood of San Francisco wanting to hold onto Anderson in any serious capacity is slim, and it'd take a substantial leap in performance throughout training camp and into the preseason for the third-year pro to have any chance whatsoever.
Hanging around on the practice squad might be the best reasonable outcome, but it's just as possible the 49ers have seen what they needed to from Anderson and may opt to shake things up with different personnel this season.
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