The San Francisco 49ers gave up the eighth-fewest yards per game during the 2024 campaign and ranked fifth in the league in pass defense, holding opponents to under 200 passing yards per game.
Despite that being the case, San Francisco has already made some changes on that side of the ball in the 2025 offseason, as Robert Saleh is back in the fold as the mastermind of the team's defense. In addition, the 49ers brought in a few new faces into the locker room and, as is the case every season, new faces mean new position battles.
One defender in particular could be facing a tougher push for a starting spot now that free agency has largely come and gone. That's because the addition of Tre Brown promises to shake things up.
After spending the last four seasons as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Brown signed with the 49ers as a free agent this offseason and is expected to push for playing time right away in the team's nickel defensive scheme.
Darrell Luter Jr. on Thin Ice Heading into the NFL Draft
Whether it be from Brown or a rookie defender selected by the Niners, Darrell Luter Jr. will need to have a standout training camp in order to secure himself a spot among San Francisco's top defensive unit once the 2025 season kicks off later this year.
Luter Jr. was a fifth-round pick by the 49ers out of the University of South Alabama in the 2023 NFL Draft and has spent the bulk of his career to this point on the sidelines nursing injuries rather than attempting to make impact plays on the field for San Francisco. With the 49ers needing to find a replacement for Isaac Yiadom in the secondary, Luter Jr. will be pushed for playing time by Brown at the very least and quite possibly a rookie if San Francisco looks to pursue help in the defensive backfield in the early rounds of the draft.
Given that Luter Jr. has only made 10 appearances for the 49ers over the last two season and has recorded just five total tackles, there simply isn't enough there for Saleh or any other member of the defensive coaching staff to feel completely comfortable slotting Luter Jr. into the depth chart as their starting nickel corner.
If he proves he is not up to the task, or is unfortunately bitten by the injury bug, it opens the door for Brown or a newcomer to the league to slide in and take that playing time for themselves. Should Luter Jr. not standout during the preseason and training camp, his time in the Bay Area could ultimately be up sooner than he would have expected.