The 49ers have made a pair of moves which will primarily affect their special teams. Wide receiver Chris Conley has been re-signed on a one-year deal, per a team announcement. In addition, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle notes cornerback Chase Lucas has been signed, also on a one-year accord.
Conley joined San Francisco last offseason to offer the team a complementary option in the passing game along with the potential for special teams contributions. The 31-year-old had not been a mainstay with respect to third phase duties in many of his previous stops. Drawing only eight combined targets between regular and postseason play in 2023, however, that was the bulk of Conley’s workload during the year.
The former third-rounder saw a 36% snap share on special teams with the 49ers, the highest mark of his career. His contributions in that regard included a pair tackles as a gunner during the Super Bowl, and Conley can be expected to reprise that role in 2024. He could also provide a vertical threat in the passing game behind the established starting WR trio of Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings.
Lucas entered the league as a Lions draftee in 2022. He did not log a snap on defense in any of his 18 games with Detroit, but last season in particular he became a key special teamer. The 27-year-old saw a 72% snap share with respect to third phase playing time, but that was not sufficient to receive an ERFA tender. Free to sign with a new team, Lucas has elected to head to the Bay Area for 2024.
The Lions handed linebacker (and new NFLPA president) Jalen Reeves-Maybin a two-year extension which includes record-breaking compensation for a special teams player. With considerable resources used on retaining him, it comes as little surprise Detroit was willing to let Lucas depart. The latter could provide depth in the 49ers’ secondary, but failing that he will be in line to continue as a core contributor on special teams in San Francisco.
More must-reads: