The San Francisco 49ers went through an offseason full of changes, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Between additions and departures, the team now has a nearly revamped defensive line, a secondary filled with uncertainties, and a few key pillars to maintain the team’s identity during this new phase.

Heading into the season, the team could still make targeted moves to enter the year with an ideal roster, and a veteran cornerback might be an interesting fit depending on a roster decision the franchise will have to make regarding one of its established defensive pillars.

Could the 49ers Sign CB Mike Hilton Ahead of 2025 Season?

It is surprising that Mike Hilton is still available in free agency. The veteran, entering his ninth NFL season, has been a solid player in recent years despite dealing with injuries, and his physical style of play could still be valuable for a team in need of secondary help.

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That could be the case for the 49ers, who face their most considerable uncertainties this season at the defensive back position. The departures of Charvarius Ward and Talanoa Hufanga have left an already thin unit even more depleted, and among the cornerbacks, the doubts are even greater.

“This pairing would depend on what the plan is with Deommodore Lenoir this season,” Matt Holder wrote in a Bleacher Report article. “Lenoir made his money at slot corner over the last two years, but he may play on the boundary more in 2025 after Charvarius Ward’s departure in free agency. So, there might be room for the 49ers to bring in a veteran nickel ahead of training camp.”

Midway through last season, the 49ers extended Lenoir’s five-year contract worth $88.84 million, making him the highest-paid defensive back on the roster. He expects to move to the outside to pair with Renardo Green, who had a promising rookie season in 2024.

That would leave the nickel spot open, with rookie Upton Stout, a third-round pick in this year’s draft, as the frontrunner for the role. However, Stout may face challenges taking on a significant starting role right away, and having a veteran like Hilton on the roster could help ease his transition from college to the NFL.

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Another factor is Robert Saleh, the defensive coordinator, who was brought back this offseason to restore the energy lost last year under Nick Sorensen. Hilton’s physical game could be an appealing fit for Saleh, and his low cost would allow the team to sign him without disrupting their current plans.

Heading into the season, the 49ers rank 26th in the PFSN Defense+ metric, a low position due to the departures during the offseason and a poor 2024 showing, particularly on third downs and late in games. The team is expected to continue investing to regain the defensive dominance of previous years.