{"id":180745,"date":"2026-04-27T13:42:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T13:42:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=180745"},"modified":"2026-04-27T13:42:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T13:42:35","slug":"%f0%9f%92%94-after-completely-striking-out-on-safety-in-the-nfl-draft-the-49ers-just-signed-a-veteran-free-agent-who-could-save-their-secondary-the-desperate-move-that-reveals-how","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=180745","title":{"rendered":"\u201c\ud83d\udc94 After Completely Striking Out on Safety in the NFL Draft, the 49ers Just Signed a Veteran Free Agent Who Could Save Their Secondary \u2014 The Desperate Move That Reveals How Worried San Francisco Really Is\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

The San Francisco 49ers<\/span><\/span> have taken a late but notable step to address a lingering roster concern, signing free agent safety Patrick McMorris<\/span><\/span> after bypassing the position throughout both free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

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The move comes after a somewhat puzzling offseason approach from San Francisco\u2019s front office, led by general manager John Lynch<\/span><\/span>, who opted not to prioritize the safety position despite clear needs dating back to the 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n

Last season, the 49ers\u2019 secondary struggled to establish consistency, and the departure of safety Jason Pinnock in free agency only amplified concerns about depth and reliability at the position.<\/p>\n

Even with those issues, the organization declined to pursue reinforcements during the initial wave of free agency and then surprisingly avoided selecting a safety across all seven rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

That decision raised questions among analysts and fans, many of whom expected the team to address what had become one of the more vulnerable areas on the defensive roster.<\/p>\n

Instead, the 49ers waited until after the draft to make their move, ultimately bringing in McMorris as a low-risk addition with developmental upside and potential special teams value.<\/p>\n

At 24 years old, McMorris enters the organization with a diverse collegiate background, having first made a name for himself at San Diego State, where he earned All-Mountain West honors twice.<\/p>\n

He later transferred to California to finish his college career, continuing to showcase his instincts and physicality in the secondary while adapting to a higher level of competition.<\/p>\n

McMorris was selected by the Miami Dolphins<\/span><\/span> in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, going 198th overall, but his transition to the professional level proved challenging.<\/p>\n

During his rookie season, he appeared in just six games and recorded a single tackle, struggling to carve out a consistent role within Miami\u2019s defensive rotation.<\/p>\n

The Dolphins eventually moved on, releasing him and opening the door for McMorris to continue his development elsewhere in the league.<\/p>\n

In 2025, he spent time with both the New York Giants<\/span><\/span> and the Arizona Cardinals<\/span><\/span>, gaining experience across multiple systems but still searching for long-term stability.<\/p>\n

\"49ers<\/p>\n

Now with San Francisco, McMorris will be looking to capitalize on a fresh opportunity, particularly within a secondary that remains unsettled and open to competition heading into the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

For the 49ers, this signing reflects a pragmatic approach\u2014adding depth without significant financial commitment while evaluating whether McMorris can develop into a reliable contributor.<\/p>\n

While he may not immediately project as a starting-caliber player, his versatility and experience across different defensive schemes could make him a valuable asset in sub-packages and special teams units.<\/p>\n

The move also underscores a broader theme of the 49ers\u2019 offseason strategy, where certain positions have been addressed more conservatively, relying on internal development and late additions rather than high-profile acquisitions.<\/p>\n

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Whether that approach proves effective will depend largely on how players like McMorris respond to their opportunities and whether the team\u2019s existing core can compensate for previous weaknesses.<\/p>\n

As training camp approaches, McMorris faces a critical period in his career, with a chance to secure a spot on the roster and potentially earn meaningful playing time in a competitive environment.<\/p>\n

For San Francisco, the signing may not generate headlines, but it represents an attempt to patch a lingering gap\u2014one that could play a significant role in the team\u2019s defensive performance moving forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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