DeMeco Ryans helped 49ers remake their defensive line in roundabout way

Since cutting Arik Armstead in the early throes of the offseason, the San Francisco 49ers have almost completely remade their depth chart at defensive tackle.

It turns out they might just have a former friend to thank, at least in part, in former defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.

Ryans, fresh off leading a top defense throughout his years with the Niners, became the head coach of the Houston Texans following the 2022 season, and hre has been a frequent partner to San Francisco in trades ever since.

First came the offseason trade for defensive tackle Maliek Collins, which came at the (with hindsight) absurdly cheap price of a seventh-round draft choice. Collins has held the middle up superbly while some have crumbled around him this season, recording a top-five pass-rush win rate (according to ESPN), while recording three sacks and seven quarterback hits.

He's also been able to get around the ball in the run game, recording some excellent run stuffs and pairing them with two fumble recoveries.

All in all, the 49ers paid next to nothing for a significant upgrade at the position, as Collins has filled the role with a consistency and solidity not seen since nose tackle D.J Jones departed the team for the Denver Broncos in free agency in 2022.

Perhaps with that in mind, San Francisco swung another trade at the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, acquiring another Texans defensive tackle, Khalil Davis, for another seventh-round pick.

Davis has had a relatively underwhelming career to date. At the age of 28, he's played 27 NFL games, recording 10 tackles for a loss, and three sacks, paired with 10 quarterback hits. To that end, he likely only projects as a rotational player on the defensive line, but that in itself isn't necessarily a negative.

It will give more rest to the likes of Collins and fellow 2024 offseason acquisition Jordan Elliott, both of whom have dealt with nagging injuries throughout the season, along with Kevin Givens, a bottom-of-the-roster stalwart of many San Francisco sides.

True, it could also cut into rookie Evan Anderson's playing time, but defensive line coach Kris Kocurek is known for preferring a deep rotation along, and the addition of Davis, as well as increased time for his namesake Kalia Davis (that might get confusing) should allow Anderson to quietly develop and come on strong in the second half of the year.

The team's remodel at defensive tackle now would seem to be complete with the addition of the former Texan, and you'd be hard-pressed to say it hasn't worked. Despite the setback from the loss of Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave, it's proven to be a solid unit at a very reasonable cost for a cap-strapped contender like the 49ers.

Collins and Elliott, as mentioned, were the headline additions. But the continued growth of Givens and Kalia Davis also gives reason to cheer. Collins, in particular, though, has stood out, and may be the team's most unheralded talent on defense.

Now, the Niners are trying to go to the well once more with the addition of Khalil Davis.

If it works, they might just owe Ryans a fruit basket.

How do you see the 49ers moves at the defensive tackle position?

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