Isaac Yiadom, a seasoned cornerback, was signed by the 49ers on Friday. How did they come to notice him?
Adam Peters, the 49ers’ assistant general manager for the previous few years, completed a great deal of the team’s player research. He’s now general manager of the Washington Commanders, therefore someone else has to take care of the 49ers’ administrative duties in the front office.
Additionally, assistant head coach Brandon Staley appears to be the one finding the players on defense.
Initially, Leonard Floyd, who was Staley’s player in 2020 while Staley was the defensive coordinator for the Rams, was signed by the 49ers. Then, after Eric Kendricks, who had been Staley’s teammate on the Chargers the previous season, committed to a contract with the 49ers, Kendricks pulled out of the agreement.
Yiadom, who was with the Broncos in 2019 when Staley was their outside linebackers coach, has now signed with the 49ers. Therefore, even if Staley didn’t actively coach Yiadom, they are acquainted on a personal level.
The fact that all three of these players currently play for the 49ers and were previously coworkers of Staley cannot be a coincidence. Not that these players aren’t talented; rather, they most likely wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Staley’s recommendation.
The 49ers allowed Steve Wilks to choose a few guys and hired him as their defensive coordinator last season. He appeared to support both Darrell Luter Jr. in the draft and Isaiah Oliver in free agency. While Lurer Jr. allowed a punt to bounce off his leg in the Super Bowl, Oliver was a complete bust and was recently released by the 49ers.
We’ll see if Staley’s hand-picked players provide better outcomes.
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