There is no dearth of talent on the 49ers’ defensive line.
San Francisco returned to a rain-dampened practice field on an overcast Monday morning with an abundance of cause for optimism.
Chase Young, acquired at the trade deadline from the Washington Commanders for a compensatory third-round pick that is expected to be recouped next year if/when Young leaves in free agency, debuted wearing the number 92.
Young wore 2 at Ohio State, where he played with Nick Bosa, and 99 for the Commanders. Deommodore Lenoir holds the former number and Javon Kinlaw the latter. Kinlaw, by the way, was one of the few absences — along with Trent Williams (ankle) and Aaron Banks (turf toe) — from practice and the only non-injury absence.
Per Matt Barrows of The Athletic, Young spent the bye at 49ers HQ in Santa Clara alongside his former Ohio State edge rusher, working to pick up the defense.
As was the case when Randy Gregory was acquired, Young was offered an abundance of hands-on coaching during Monday’s practice. Bosa worked with him on technique, and the defensive line braintrust of Kris Kocurek and Darry Tapp provided hand placement and leverage advice. He worked from a traditional three-point stance rather than the stand-up approach he often used in Washington.
Gregory said he’s talked to Young mostly about the culture fit and culture shock he experienced joining the 49ers. He said he’s admired Young from afar and described him as a well-rounded player when asked what stands out about him.
“Everything,” Gregory said. “He’ll be able to jump right in.”
Also joining Young was sixth-round pick Robert Beal Jr., who may have a hard time carving out a role on a 10-man defensive line group that now has Young, Nick Bosa, Randy Gregory, Clelin Ferrell and Drake Jackson on the edge.
Beal Jr. (injured reserve) was joined by a pair of young corners in Darrell Luter Jr. (Physically Unable to Perform List) and Samuel Womack III (IR).
At least one of Luter and Womack should have an opportunity to make an impact on a defense which is weak at corner, and thinner after releasing veteran Anthony Brown. The 49ers enjoyed what little they saw of Luter in OTAs before he suffered a bone bruise in his knee just before training camp which sent him to the PUP list.
The statuses to monitor for the rest of the week are Williams and Kinlaw, whose absence was a surprise. This is, however, a bonus practice, so there’s no real cause concern until or if players miss practices later on in the week.