NFL free agency begins in just under a week with the legal tampering beginning next Monday (though we already know there is tampering anyways). So the NFL is about to see a lot of money thrown around again, and we should know the fate of a lot of the top players on the market by next Tuesday when it gets leaked out, or next Wednesday with official announcements.
The 49ers have not shied away from free agency the last two years under John Lynch after basically avoiding it under Trent Baalke. And they figure to be in the thick of things again thanks to a still enormous amount of cap space. The cap number around the NFL went up $11M so the 49ers are projected to have anywhere from $65-70M of cap space to work with. They are in no way going to use it all, but they have plenty of space to make a splash or two.
And the market should be ripe for the taking as this is probably one of the better free agency classes in years, even after the franchise tags. Many players will get paid, and the 49ers figure to be in the middle of it all as always with this regime.
There are plenty of free agents in this class that would be awesome fits for the 49ers as well as they try to get back to contention in this all-too-crucial offseason. Let’s take a look at some of the players they could be after.
Preston Smith- LB:
Smith had a quietly great season in D.C last year with the Redskins and figures to come away with a huge payday as a result. The 49ers are in desperate need of some edge help, but with Bosa and Allen waiting in the draft for the 49ers at the number two pick in a nice class for top prospects at that position, one wonders if the 49ers would even find it wise to invest big money in that spot on a player who is a gamble despite his good play last year. I am reminded of Malcolm Smith in this situation right before they drafted Reuben Foster. 49ers are very weary of doing this, as Shanahan has admitted (even to the point where he wishes the draft came before free agency).
CJ Mosley- LB:
Speaking of that linebacker situation, the Ravens shockingly let Mosley at least have a chance to hit the open market after declining to franchise tag him. The guy was easily an anchor in the middle of one of the most successful defenses year after year in Baltimore, and he has become one of the better linebackers in the league. He doesn’t get a lot of sacks or work too well in coverage, but his run-stopping ability is great. As an inside linebacker, he’d compliment Fred Warner’s abilities in coverage very well as an inside presence to plug the run game. My gut tells me the Ravens keep him though, as that is just what the Ravens do. They do not let players like him get away often, if at all.
KJ Wright- LB:
KJ Wright might not be a top-level linebacker, but he can still very well help a defense. He comes with the added benefit of playing in the Seattle defense, a similar defense to that the 49ers now run under Robert Saleh. Though, that was also the draw of Malcolm Smith a couple of years ago and that hasn’t worked out too well.
Tevin Coleman- RB:
The 49ers do not need a running back necessarily with Jerrick McKinnon coming back and Matt Breida’s emergence. However, Shanahan has a connection with Coleman from his days with the Falcons and a reunion might be in order. With McKinnon’s ability to also be used as a receiving weapon as well as a runner (like a Le’Veon Bell lite), it might be a good idea to add another runner back there, especially with the injury problems always a concern at that position. I do not think they spend even more sizable money in the backfield though, so I cannot see it happening too much. But the connection and fit could work in theory.
Brian Poole- CB:
Another connection to Shanahan, at least sort of. Poole has played on the Falcons and has played a decent bit of snaps for them over the last couple of years. I highly doubt the 49ers would spend top dollar on CB again after signing Sherman last year, and they still like Ahkello Witherspoon. They also might look at the draft for another corner. But Brian Poole would be a decent get at a likely low price as he won’t be seen as a starter for anyone unless one team overvalues him. He could share time at corner and give the 49ers a nice depth piece at the position where they really need it.
Chris Conley- WR:
Conley is actually a decent role receiver that can help a team. He had decent numbers on a Chiefs offense that has awesome weapons. Yet he still found his share of plays. He also had 5 touchdowns despite only 32 receptions. That is a good rate. He can be a very helpful receiver in many ways, and the 49ers need help at the position. It would give them a handy receiver while they figure out who will be their big-play receiver. He should not come with a hefty price either. He will get a decent payday, but nothing the 49ers can’t afford, especially to help one of the least productive parts of their team.
LaMarcus Joyner- S:
I am higher on this dude than most. I love this guy. He is one of my silent favorites. I hated seeing him on the Rams, but I believe he’d be perfect for the 49ers. They tried to turn Jimmie Ward into a rover/hybrid CB/S last year, and they now have a chance to get one of the better rover safeties in Joyner. He would give the defense and secondary a lot of flexibility to work with, which is very important in the modern NFL.
Za’Darius Smith- LB:
Another cog in that stout Ravens defense was Smith. He’s not a top-tier LB, but he was good for the Ravens on the outside of Mosley. He is projected to get a relatively big payday, and I doubt the Ravens are keeping him. And he may be a better fit as he is an outside linebacker as opposed to Mosley, who would be another inside linebacker like Warner. The 49ers need the most linebacker help on the outside. Perhaps Smith is a buyer-beware type, but the need at linebacker is great enough for the 49ers to need to take that chance.
Tyrell Williams- WR:
Tyrell Williams will finally get his chance after being overshadowed in Los Angeles. While not being a number 1 receiver, he certainly is a big target and has potential to be a great fit in San Francisco as just the kind of outside receiver they need as he stands at 6’ 4” and weighs 205 LBS. The 49ers would certainly want to move this guy out to another part of California. But, the issue is that he may get paid close to that of a number 1 receiver when he is a clear number 2 receiver with potential for more. 49ers are not going to want to pay that price fore him, not with the awesome draft class of big receivers coming. Somebody might pay him that high price. 49ers probably not though. He would add decent production through if the price is right.
Shane Ray- LB:
Shane Ray is a good low risk-high reward signing. Shane Ray has always had all the potential in the world but just never made it work in Denver. Perhaps a new start for him would be good. And if it doesn’t work out, it wouldn’t be a big contract to deal with. With the 49ers in need of linebacker help, taking a chance on Ray may not be a bad idea.
Adrian Amos- S:
Adrian Amos has gone relatively unnoticed. I mean, playing on a Bears defense where all the talk is about Mack will do that. But Amos has quietly been an elite safety the last couple of years. He likely won’t pick up top safety money despite putting up production akin to that. The 49ers would do good to look into Amos, who could really invigorate a safety group that desperately needs it.
Brandon Marshall- LB:
No, not the receiver. The Broncos linebacker is a decent player but has declined as he ages a bit. He is a good run stopper as an inside linebacker, so like Mosley he’d be a good compliment to Warner inside. But he is nowhere near Mosley. He could be a helpful addition on a cheaper 1-year deal though if they miss out on other linebacker additions.
Tyler Eifert- TE:
The 49ers had a record-breaking performance from tight end George Kittle last year despite only having Garoppolo for just under three games. Kittle does look like one of the next superstars of the 49ers, but he cannot shatter records year after year. One of Shanahan’s goals has been to get a second productive tight end to compliment Kittle. While drafting one may be the route there, taking a chance on a cheap 1-year deal for Eifert wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Eifert’s health is always a huge concern, but he’s been productive when healthy. Taking a low risk-high reward chance on him could be right up the 49ers alley.
Bradley Roby- CB:
Roby would be another lower risk/high reward move. Roby might not be a great corner, but he has experience and maybe he just needs a fresh start. Besides, it is never bad to add cheap depth and experience.
Earl Thomas- S:
Perhaps the greatest safety of the last decade or so is finally a free agent and expects to get a huge payday despite his injury last year. He has easily been the best safety in the league for years. And the 49ers might just have a chance at him too. Given that he’d be familiar with the defense the 49ers are running since it is essentially Seattle’s is a big draw for him. Another big thing is that he would like nothing more to stick it to the Seahawks after the way they handled his contract demands last year. He can do that in San Francisco twice a year, which was attractive last year to one of Thomas’ most important former teammates in Seattle, Richard Sherman. And with all the cap space the 49ers have to go along with all that I just mentioned, the 49ers have multiple things going for them that would attract the generational safety they’ve hated facing for years over to their side. This is easily the most obvious fit in all of free agency in my opinion. I do not know if it will happen, but it makes a ton of sense for so many reasons.
I think it is reasonable that they may sign at least one or two of these players mentioned. However, they may sign a few players that I did not mention and one or two that nobody saw coming as well. That is just the state of free agency. I expect the 49ers to make a splash or two, but now we just wait and see just who the players are.
No comments:
Post a Comment