Free Agency Is Coming: The 49ers (Defense)
Let's see how the team should tackle the offseason on defense
We took a look at possible signings the team could make with on offense, and now it’s time to look at the other side of the ball.
DEFENSIVE LINE
This is a true strength of the team, but a decent amount of depth guys are unsigned currently. Who do they have? Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Samson Ebukam, Charles Omenihu and the rotting corpse of Dee Ford. They should extend Kevin Givens, who is (like Jennings on offense) an Exclusive Rights Free Agent. Ford is basically a sunk cost (he’d still cost $10MM against the cap even if they cut him) let’s assume we have seven DL. The team usually carries 9-10 guys. I think they’ll try very hard to re-sign D.J. Jones and Arden Key, though both might find huge paydays elsewhere and the team will need to let them go rather than overspend. And if someone slips in the draft, I think the team runs to the podium (virtual or real) and takes another young edge rusher. This is not a super exciting choice here - re-signing the same crew and hoping to find talent in the draft, but they can’t overspend for a guy like Chandler Jones, no matter how tempting it may be.
LINEBACKER
With Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw in tow, they’re fairly set but they need depth. The big rumor of late is that former Seahawk Bobby Wagner and the 49ers have mutual interest. (Aw, it’s so cute!) And man, I really couldn’t NOT do this signing if it happened and made financial sense. Extra points to have an ex-Seahawk looking to prove to Seattle they made a bad decision. If Wagner isn’t available, I could easily see them re-signing Azeez Al-Shaair or Kyzir White. This is also a place they could use a Day 3 draft pick on.
CORNERBACK
Welcome to the biggest team need. I’m fairly optimistic about Emmanuel Mosely and Ambry Thomas and I think Deommodore Lenoir has a chance to work his way into the nickel cornerback position. But that’s an unsettled group and while I expect the team to sign someone, I really don’t buy all the rumors that they are in on the priciest free agents. They’ve clearly NEVER prioritized CB, and it shows, and I can’t see a full 180 here. That said, who will they target? I’d love to see them get Desmond King, a guy who is always solid if unspectacular. If he could consistently handle one side of the field OR play nickel. Last year he was signed for $3MM - why not give him a two-year deal? Other options could be once again re-signing K’Waun Williams, offering Bryce Callahan a short-term deal, or even tossing some money at a Mike Hughes reclamation project - he’s only 25 and is a former first rounder who has some real talent.
SAFETY
The team has Jimmie Ward, Tavarious Moore and Talonga Huafunga at safety, with Jacquiski Tartt hitting free agency. While the safeties aren’t locked into one position, Ward plays more of a free safety while Moore is a bit of a blend and Huafanga is much more of a box SS who even can play that “nickel linebacker” spot. So the team could certainly use another safety, and may well re-sign Tartt who they value a lot more than most fans do. The interesting thing about the NFL market is that safeties are woefully undervalued, and good players can be had on the relative cheap. Guys like Tyrion Mathieu and Landon Collins will be offered more than the 49ers should spend here, as well as Marcus Williams and Marcus Maye. But after that, there are guys like Justin Reid, Ronnie Harrison or Xavier Woods would provide some solid value and are young guys who could become fixtures in that secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The team is fairly locked into Robbie Gould for this season and he showed why in the playoffs. I sort of wish they’d cut P Mitch Wishnowski just because he was a terrible fourth round pick and he’s just simply not very good.
To recap, including the offense, here’s my wishlist of free agent signings:
Tyrod Taylor
Raheem Mostert (resign)
Will Fuller
Laken Tomlinson (resign)
D.J. Jones (resign)
Arden Key (resign)
Bobby Wagner
Desmond King
Xavier Woods
That’s probably very wishful thinking, but man … look at that, know that the team has a good amount of draft picks and think about 2022. Let’s roll, baby.