Have the 49ers Exceeded Expectations in Free Agency?

Is this really what you thought the 49ers would do?

They fired Steve Wilks, cut Arik Armstead, revamped their defense and left their offense alone. Which is a bit surprising, considering the defense outperformed the offense in the Super Bowl, and when the 49ers lost, most analysts expected the team would revamp its offensive line, not its defensive line. Because the defensive line played well in the Super Bowl, and the offensive line did not.

Before free agency began, many analysts expected the 49ers to make a big move after creating tons of cap space by restructuring contracts, but they didn't do that. Instead, they created just enough cap space to work around the edges of their roster and add cost-effective veterans on one- and two-year deals.

And most of those cost-effective veterans have been defensive linemen. The 49ers have acquired four so far in free agency -- Maliek Collins, Leonard Floyd, Jordan Elliott and Yetur Gross-Matos. None of these players are as good as Armstead, but they're all cheaper and more durable than him. So the 49ers haven't necessarily improved their defensive line, but they have made it deeper and more reliable, which is good.

And they weren't able to sign their first choice at linebacker -- Eric Kendricks -- which is not so good. But they were able to sign De'Vondre Campbell, who was good a couple years ago. Plus they signed cornerback Isaac Yiadom, who will compete for playing time.

But the 49ers have not made a big move. Last year, they made a giant signing when they acquired Javon Hargrave, but that move didn't pay off. Maybe that's why the 49ers are being modest this offseason.