San Francisco claimed Jordan Jefferson off waivers, boosting interior defensive-line depth as they navigate a crowded rotation. Jefferson, LSU product and 2024 fourth-rounder, has upside but limited NFL production to date, with roughly 150 defensive snaps as a rookie in Jacksonville. In SF, he immediately slots into a six-man interior DL group alongside Jordan Elliott, Alfred Collins, Kalia Davis, Evan Anderson, and the incumbent depth, signaling flexible alignment from first to fifth in the rotation.

This roster churn comes alongside Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s addition and Jacob Cowing’s IR designation, underscoring the 49ers’ willingness to tinker at the deadline. Jefferson’s youth and pedigree give him a path to meaningful snaps if he latches onto a niche in pass rush or run defense. The question remains which three players SF will cut or move to IR to fully accommodate the new depth, and how soon Jefferson can translate potential into production.