The 49ers have been active in free agency, bringing in nine new faces to bolster the roster.
With a mix of seasoned veterans and players looking for new opportunities, these additions bring a mix of skill and depth to The Bay. Here's a closer look at their backgrounds, from their early playing days to their NFL journeys.
Keep reading to learn more about San Francisco's newly-signed free agents.
A majority of the first wave of the 49ers newly signed free agents hail from the East Coast and the South, bringing strong football foundations from top high school programs across the country.
Jacksonville, Florida native QB Mac Jones led The Bolles School to a Florida state championship, while fellow Floridian S Richie Grant showcased his versatility as a defensive back and wide receiver at Choctawhatchee High.
CB Siran Neal and WR Demarcus Robinson made their mark in the South, with Neal earning All-State honors in Alabama and Robinson surpassing 1,000 receiving yards as a senior in Georgia. Luke Gifford was a dual-threat quarterback and defensive back in Lincoln, Nebraska, before transitioning to outside linebacker in college.
CB Tre Brown emerged as one of Oklahoma's top high school prospects (No. 3 player in the state of Oklahoma by 247Sports), while CB Jason Pinnock came on the scene as the top defensive back in Connecticut at Windsor High. Long snapper Jon Weeks, a New York native, played high school football in Arizona, earning All-State honors on both the offensive and defensive lines. Tight end Luke Farrell, a native of Perry, Ohio, was a dual-sport athlete in high school playing both football and basketball.
Several of the 49ers newest players come from powerhouse programs. Jones had a decorated career at Alabama, winning a national championship in 2020 while throwing for over 6,000 yards. Farrell played at Ohio State, contributing as a reliable tight end for the Buckeyes, while Brown started at Oklahoma, recording 35 career pass breakups.
Beyond the traditional powerhouses, a number of the 49ers additions developed into key players at respected programs. Neal was a standout at Jacksonville State, and Grant earned three First-Team All-AAC honors as a safety at the University of Central Florida. Pinnock developed into a shutdown corner at Pitt, and Gifford was named an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten player at Nebraska. Robinson registered over 100 receptions and more than 1,000 yards at Florida, while Weeks built his long-snapping career at Baylor.
Jones entered the 2021 NFL Draft process as one of the top quarterbacks available, finishing with an 83 Next Gen Stats total combine score, ranking fifth among quarterbacks that year. Brown and Grant were also among the more highly rated defensive backs, with Grant ranking third among safeties.
Speed and explosiveness stood out for several players. Neal posted an impressive 40.5-inch vertical, while Pinnock recorded a 39.5-inch vertical and a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at his pro day. Meanwhile, Robinson showcased his agility with a 6.77-second three-cone drill, one of the better marks for wide receivers.
Gifford recorded a 4.68-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, while Farrell ranked 11th among tight ends at the 2021 Combine with a Next Gen Stats total score of 63.
The new additions entered the league in various ways, from first-round draft picks to undrafted free agents.
Jones was the highest-selected player, going 15th overall to the New England Patriots in 2021. Grant followed as a second-round pick for the Atlanta Falcons that same year, while Robinson (Kansas City Chiefs, 2016), Neal (Buffalo Bills, 2018), Brown (Seattle Seahawks, 2021), Farrell (Jacksonville Jaguars, 2021) and Pinnock (New York Jets, 2021) all heard their names called in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, Gifford and Weeks took the undrafted route—Gifford signing to the Dallas Cowboys in 2019 and Weeks beginning his career with the Houston Texans in 2010.
The 49ers are adding a group of veterans with significant NFL experience.
Weeks, the longest-tenured addition, has spent 15 seasons as a long snapper, appearing in 244 games and earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2015. Robinson brings nine years of experience, including a Super Bowl win with the Chiefs, and has tallied over 3,000 receiving yards. Jones offers starting quarterback experience, most recently with the Jaguars and a strong rookie season with the Patriots that earned him a Pro Bowl nod. Farrell also adds depth to the tight end room after four years with the Jaguars.
Defensively, Grant has been a steady contributor in the Falcons secondary for four seasons, while Pinnock started all 16 games he appeared in with the New York Giants in 2024. Brown spent all four seasons of his NFL career with the Seahawks and has a standout play returning an interception for a touchdown in 2023 vs. the Detroit Lions.
Neal, a top special teams contributor, has recorded 60 special teams tackles over his seven-year career. Gifford, another standout on special teams, joins the 49ers after six seasons in the league. Last season, Gifford tallied the fifth-most special teams tackles in the NFL (14).
