Prior to the Odum signing, the 49ers addressed special teams via two other free agents, bringing in former Green Bay Packers linebacker Oren Burks and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud to bolster a unit that ranked amongst the worst in the NFL in 2021.
Was the Odum deal worth it?
The 28-year old safety was an All-Pro special-teamer in 2020, when he racked up 20 special teams tackles, which led the NFL, showcasing his skills as a fairly stout tackling safety.
Odum was utilized more defensively in 2021 by the Colts, starting seven games, and played 43% of the team's defensive snaps, which was, by far, a career-high for the veteran.
However, as a safety, Odum didn't have the best production, allowing a passer rating of 122.9, while also giving up 3 touchdowns in coverage on just 28 targets, of which 19 were receptions.
The Odum deal signifies that the 49ers likely are not adding another safety via free agency, and are instead placing their focus towards the draft at the position, where the team's now expected to select a safety with one of their prime selections.
Currently, the 49ers have Jimmie Ward, Tarvarius Moore, Talanoa Hufanga, and now George Odum as the safeties on the roster. For reference, the 49ers carried just four safeties on the roster in 2021, although that number seems like it will increase for the 2022 season.
While I applaud the 49ers for tackling their special-teams issues ferociously, I'm skeptical about the Odum signing because of the amount of talent still remaining in free agency at the safety position.
Players like Terrell Edmunds, Jabrill Peppers, Keanu Neal, Jayron Kearse, Damontae Kazee, Jaquiski Tartt, Deshon Elliott, and Landon Collins are all still unsigned, showcasing how the safety market might not match the availability that's present.
Why does this matter? Well, the 49ers' urgency to pay a predominantly special-teams player, and giving a three-year deal in the process, seems a bit rushed when the value of Odum could have dropped as free agency continued.
Had the 49ers waited, they could have gotten a better safety at an even more premium price, or signed Odum to a cheaper and less-taxing contract when he wouldn't receive many safety snaps in the first place.
Written By:
Writer/Reporter for 49ers Webzone
All articles by Rohan Chakravarthi
Rohan Chakravarthi
Writer/Reporter for 49ers Webzone
All articles by Rohan Chakravarthi
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