General Manager John Lynch bolsters the defensive line by poaching veteran Khalid Kareem from Atlanta, reuniting the former Fighting Irish standout with defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
The San Francisco 49ers have made an addition to their edge rushing room. The Niners added six-year veteran defensive end Khalid Kareem.
San Francisco supporters have long been asking for the 49ers to address their need for an impact pass rusher. Niners GM John Lynch decided to find an edge rusher from the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad.
The move does not signal that the 49ers are done making improvements to the edge room, but it is not going to satisfy those still concerned about the team's ceiling at the position. Let's look at what one writer who covers the Falcons shared about the addition.
Matt Urben of Falcons Wire discussed Kareem's departure from Atlanta to San Francisco. Here's some of what he had to say about former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris bringing over one of "his guys" to the 49ers.
"The San Francisco 49ers poached Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Khalid Kareem off of the practice squad on Friday, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter. Kareem, who spent the last two years in Atlanta, was just added to the team's practice squad on Tuesday.
The former fifth-round pick now heads to San Francisco to reunite with 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who worked with Kareem for two seasons when he was the head coach of the Falcons."
Kareem has just 20 career tackles and one forced fumble to his name, but he does have an advantage over some of the 49ers' defensive line depth. Kareem knows 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris' system and expectations. He knows exactly what is expected of Morris' defensive ends.
Kareem was a good player at Notre Dame in college. The former Fighting Irish edge rusher posted 26.0 career sacks in his four seasons with the Irish adding 109 total tackles and 13.0 tackles for loss. Now, he's trying to translate his college success to the pros.
One should not expect Kareem to have a huge role with the Niners this year. The former Falcons player had just three tackles in the 2025 season. So, his knowledge of Raheem Morris' system may be among the only advantages he has going for him at this point.
There's nothing wrong with adding depth. The Niners did that with Kareem and may make other strategic additions.
We will continue to monitor the 49ers' late defensive roster moves. They will open the season with the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 9.
