Why the 49ers Want Brock Wright

The 49ers need a backup tight end who can stay in the backfield and help Colton McKivitz, who gave up more sacks than any other right tackle in the NFL last season.

The 49ers could have re-signed backup tight end Charlie Woerner this offseason, but they didn't. Instead, he signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Falcons, while the 49ers signed Detroit Lions backup tight end to a three-year, $12 million offer sheet which the Lions likely won't match.

Which means the 49ers likely wanted Wright more than they wanted Woerner.

Woerner was a good run blocker and a good special teamer for the 49ers the past four seasons -- that's why the Falcons signed him. He's an asset to any team that wants to run the ball.

Wright is a good run blocker too, but not as good as Woerner. So there's another reason the 49ers want Wright, and it has to do with what he can do for their passing game.

Wright has 43 catches and 7 touchdowns in his three-year career, so he's someone opposing defenses have to honor, especially in the red zone, as opposed to Woerner, who got three targets last season. In addition, Wright excels in pass protection, as opposed to Woerner, who essentially is a run-blocking specialist.

The 49ers need a backup tight end who can stay in the backfield and help Colton McKivitz, who gave up more sacks than any other right tackle in the NFL last season. They want to transition from an offense that leans on the running game to an offense that can pass first when necessary -- see the Super Bowl. And that's because they finally have a Pro Bowl quarterback in Brock Purdy. And so pass protection matters more than ever.

Smarting signing.