The San Francisco 49ers have made some minor changes to their front seven on defense after narrowly losing in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs, but they will be returning largely the same core that came to the brink of winning the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
While defense is the main strength of the team, its offense is also one of the NFL’s best, and on Monday, two signings that will bolster its depth were announced.
The 49ers officially signed tight end Eric Saubert and running back Patrick Taylor Jr., per Around The NFL.
Niners announce signings of TE Eric Saubert, RB Patrick Taylorhttps://t.co/VB9z2crbL1 pic.twitter.com/Bp6Qdw1h2K
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 8, 2024
Saubert played last season with the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans while putting up 12 yards on three catches.
For his career, the former fifth-round draft pick has started 16 of his 84 games and totaled 36 receptions, 292 yards, and two touchdowns.
Taylor ran for 141 yards as a member of the Green Bay Packers, the only NFL team he has ever played for, in 2023.
He went undrafted out of the University of Memphis in 2021.
The Niners, of course, have one of the two or three best tight ends in the NFL in George Kittle and arguably the best running back in Christian McCaffrey, but a little added depth wouldn’t exactly hurt.
With Kittle at age 30, it may be time for San Francisco to look for an heir-apparent to him in the draft, while they could use better depth behind McCaffrey.
Elijah Mitchell, their RB2, has been solidly productive in his role, but he has had trouble staying healthy in his three pro seasons.
