The 49ers saw defensive players leave in droves last offseason, but they’re holding onto a member of their starting defensive line this time around.
PFT has learned, via a league source, that nose tackle Ian Williams has agreed to a deal that will keep him in Santa Clara. It’s a five-year deal for the five-year veteran.
Williams, who was No. 28 on PFT’s list of the top 100 free agents, moved into the starting lineup in 2014, but a broken leg forced his season to end after nine games. He returned to start all 16 games for the Niners last season and picked up 65 tackles as a bright spot in run defense during an otherwise bleak year for the team.
The 49ers have also extended defensive end Quinton Dial this offseason and Glenn Dorsey is under contract for 2016, so there will be continuity up front for the Niners despite the lack of it on the coaching staff. They’ll need to upgrade around the holdovers, but Williams was one of the players worth keeping around and the Niners accomplished that ahead of the official start of free agency.