Why the Broncos do it…
The Broncos have some injuries on the defensive front, specifically to starting defensive ends Derek Wolfe and Jared Crick. Those are not injuries to be taken lightly, though the Broncos haven’t made any moves really to indicate they are worried about either player missing regular season time.
Dial is a player that has the ability to be much better in a 3-4 defensive alignment than the 49ers’ new 4-3 alignment, and the Broncos could be in the market for a seventh defensive lineman to carry into the regular season depending on what happens at other positions.
Why the 49ers do it…
The 49ers, as mentioned previously, could use a receiver to insert into the lineup quickly. Fowler has held the Broncos’ third receiver position most of the offseason, but is also a very significant contributor on special teams units.
The Broncos have Cody Latimer who can do those things as well, but he also returns kicks. That would seem to make Fowler the odd man out, but he’s impressed the coaching staff up to this point with his ability to play multiple receiver positions.