5 moves that could maintain 49ers' current Super Bowl window

The Niners could still stand for some improvements this offseason to keep their Super Bowl window open.

Let's take a look at what those could be.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch (L) and head coach Kyle Shanahan (R)
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch (L) and head coach Kyle Shanahan (R) / Michael Zagaris/GettyImages
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No. 3: 49ers must trade for D.J. Jones

Recently, a rumor broke that the 49ers were checking in with the Denver Broncos whether or not veteran nose tackle D.J. Jones, who played with the Niners from 2017 through 2021, would be available via a trade.

If that rumor is true, it must be something San Francisco should pursue.

Amid a complete rebuild, Denver is offloading assets, and John Lynch has a strong pipeline there. That's good, and it could help facilitate a would-be Jones trade.

From the 49ers' vantage point, acquiring the 29 year old would accomplish a few things. For starters, Jones' presence would help alleviate one of the Niners' few defensive weaknesses from last season: the run defense. In 2023, San Francisco surrendered an average of 4.1 rush yards per carry, which was in the middle of the pack, league-wide.

On top of that, Jones would help guard against the possibility of fellow defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw departing via free agency and the multiyear injury woes that have plagued defensive tackle Arik Armstead, too.