NFC Notes: 49ers, Panthers, Saints, Seahawks

49ers

49ers DL DeForest Buckner said the team plans on moving him to defensive end this season.

“I just walked into a meeting one day and they told me ‘Buck, you’re going to be at the end position in this package,’” Buckner said, via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “So I was like ‘All right. Sounds good.’ It’s a confidence booster that they can see I’m able to rush on the edge.”

49ers DC Robert Saleh said their goal is to get Buckner in as many “1-on-1” opportunities as possible.

“The challenge for us is how to get Buck 1-on-1s as many times as possible,” Saleh said. “Testing him out there at that end spot to see what he looks like. I mean, he’s unbelievable. He is a special talent.”

Panthers

• ESPN’s David Newton writes that it’s hard to imagine Panthers RB Cameron Artis-Payne getting many game reps this year, which could lead to Carolina making him available for trade, especially if they could secure secondary or offensive line help for him.

Saints

• Mike Triplett believes Saints CB P.J. Williams could end up having more value to a cornerback-needy team than New Orleans, given their depth at the position.

Seahawks

Seahawks HC Peter Carroll singled out OL D.J. Fluker as someone who has impressed him during training camp.

“I’ve been really impressed with D.J. Fluker,” Carroll said, via Pro Football Talk. “He’s really been kind of what we had hoped he would be. He’s such a big man. He’s a giant of a guy. He’s 355 (pounds) or something and you can’t move him. He can hold the point on pass protection, which is really nice, and he’s been very aggressive coming off the ball. I’ve said this – he worked with Mike last year at the Giants so he has the carryover of the system and all that. He’s been really impressive this time around.”

• Tom Pelissero reports that the Seahawks signed G J.R. Sweezy to one-year, $1.5 million contract worth up $2 million and includes a $100K signing bonus.