The San Francisco 49ers have been trying to retool their pass rush any way they can this offseason.
They did it via the draft, selecting EDGE Mykel Williams and two defensive linemen, Alfred Collins and CJ West.
They did it via trade, acquiring EDGE Bryce Huff from the Philadelphia Eagles.
And now, they’re doing it via free agency, and via the UFL.
On Tuesday July 29, 2025, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the 49ers had signed DE Jaylon Allen, who played for the UFL’s Memphis Showboats in 2024.
Allen will compete for playing time on the defensive line, where the 49ers are noticeably thin on depth, but also could slot in as an outside linebacker in certain defensive looks.
All About Jaylon Allen
Jaylon Allen spent six seasons at the University of Memphis after redshirting his freshman year in 2018 and being granted an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
His numbers at Memphis don’t jump off the page, but he did slowly grow into a reliable, durable starting player. He started all 26 of the Tigers’ games in his final two seasons, 2023 and 2024. In both 2022 and 2023 he led the Tigers with 5 sacks each season.
Overall, in 60 games at Memphis, he recorded 150 tackles, 13 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and one interception. He was named second team All-AAC in his final season at Memphis in 2023.
His storied, solid career at Memphis was enough to earn him an undrafted free agent contract with the Denver Broncos following the 2024 NFL draft.
He was later waived with an injury settlement, but he turned right around and signed with the Memphis Showboats in December 2024.
During the 2025 season, Allen had 23 tackles and 1.5 sacks for the Showboats.
With the 49ers, he gets a second chance to chase an NFL dream. In Allen, the 49ers get a player with professional experience and a solid college résumé to compete with the offensive lineman and challenge his compatriots on the defensive line during training camp, with hopes he can show them enough to make the final roster.
Does This Change Things For Mykel Williams?
The 49ers need defensive help everywhere, but they need it at the interior defensive line even more than on the outside.
The 49ers have basically no veteran, proven players at defensive tackle. Collins and West were their only big additions and they’re both rookies.
But, interestingly enough, some reports out of training camp suggest that Mykel Williams is performing even better lined up on the interior against guards and centers than on the outside against the tackles.
Given that the 49ers decided to add depth at EDGE rather than at DT, could that mean they plan to use Williams at DT even more than initially expected?
The 49ers seem to want to develop Williams as an EDGE rusher if they can, but they are certainly beholden to wherever he is most effective.
49ers fans will likely get a much better idea of where Williams will play in 2025 during the preseason.
The move also comes amidst a serious injury to DL Tarron Jackson, so it’s possible that the addition of Allen has less to do with Williams and more to do with Jackson.
What do you think of the Jaylon Allen signing, 49ers fans? Do you think it has any reflection on how the 49ers plan to use Mykel Williams?
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post San Francisco 49ers Add Needed Depth at Key Position With Free Agent Signing appeared first on Heavy Sports.