LT Trent Williams among free agents
49ers have 27 unrestricted free agents, including FB Juszczyk, CB Sherman
It sounds like the 49ers had it all mapped out: They would cruise along and re-sign key starters before they could escape in free agency. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, and there went the salary cap space.
So they adjusted their budget, for now.
Free agency is two months away (March 17). Perhaps the NFL calls an audible and doesn’t chop the salary cap from $198 million to $175 million, once they factor in new broadcast deals and a 17th game per team. Perhaps not.
“We were set up to have just about everyone back,” general manager John Lynch said Monday. “Now, we just have to be a little more creative in doing so, and I think we’ll figure some things out.”
If the budget is too tight, they could restructure Jimmy Garoppolo’s deal and truly affirm their commitment to him. The sheer volume of free agents is daunting, but the 49ers are at risk of losing only a couple stars on that list.
Which of their unrestricted free agents to pay? Here is a look at the probability of their respective returns:
1. LEFT TACKLE TRENT WILLIAMS >> The 49ers are his “No. 1 destination,” and Williams suggested both sides “compromise” to maximize his value. After a year in hibernation, he recaptured Pro Bowl acclaim this season after fleeing Washington. He also noted that franchise left tackles don’t hit the market, so the 49ers better strike before mid-March to eliminate Williams’ temptation. Potential return: Likely
2. FULLBACK KYLE JUSZCZYK >> Juszczyk is an annual Pro Bowler
in a specialized role not all teams employ. So what? He’s key to the 49ers’ machine. Pay up for another year or two for his blocking, receiving and shortyardage prowess, but also for his professionalism. He sounded Monday like his time was done here. Potential return: Questionable
3. CORNERBACK RICHARD SHERMAN >> From mentoring defensive backs to even Jimmy Garoppolo, Sherman has great value. But he’s not as perfect in coverage as years ago, and his 2020 was basically wiped out by a concerning calf issue. That could lower his self-negotiated price to stay on his beloved West Coast. Otherwise, he’s gone, following Robert Saleh or finding somewhere to try safety. Potential return: Questionable
4. CORNERBACK JASON VERRETT >> What’s not to love about his comeback, his fierceness and his ballhawking ability? Answer: his injury history, which isn’t erased by his 2020 comeback. If he’s more affordable than Sherman, he stays. Potential return: Questionable
5. DEFENSIVE TACKLE SOLOMON THOMAS >> Forgot about him, huh? The No. 3 overall pick in 2017 won’t strike it rich anywhere after a Week 2 ACL tear. The 49ers have sunk a lot into him, financially and emotionally, so they may want to keep him, just wisely not at the fifthyear option rate. A fresh start elsewhere would be understandable, too. Potential return: Questionable
6. NICKEL BACK K’WAUN WILLIAMS >> The 49ers’ coaches and players contend that Williams is the NFL’s best slot cornerback. Injuries limited him to eight games. Can’t you envision the 49ers trying to, ahem, cut corners and go young at that position? “The Shark” produced seven fumbles, four sacks, and three interceptions in four seasons. Potential return: Questionable
7. NOSE TACKLE D. J. JONES >>
Ankle injuries have slowed his ascent into an above-average nose tackle. Potential return: Likely
8. SAFETY JAQUISKI TARTT >>
An unheralded communicator and leader, Tartt’s tenure is likely done after six seasons. The 49ers seem set with Tarvarius Moore pairing with Jimmie Ward. Potential return: Doubtful
9. DEFENSIVE END KERRY HYDER JR. >> His team-high 8 1/2 sacks and hustle were nice surprises. He’s a nice fit. Maybe not as affordable, now. “I don’t want to be an underthe-radar signing, I want to be on the top of the market,” Hyder said Monday. Potential return: Questionable
10. WIDE RECEIVER KENDRICK BOURNE >> He’s been groomed in this offense for four years and has more third- dow n conversion catches than drops. But he’s no better than No. 3 among their wide receivers. More money and more prominent roles are out there for him.
Potential return: Likely
11. QUARTERBACK C.J. BEATHARD >> He could be retained as a default backup, in part because of Nick Mullens’ elbow surgery and Kyle Shanahan’s devotion since the 2017 draft. Potential return: Questionable
12. RUNNING BACK JERICK MCKINNON >> A f ter two years of knee rehab, he started strong, only to get overextended and finish as a third- down back/kick returner. Couldn’t Frank Gore do that role in 2021? Potential return: Doubtful
13. RUNNING BACK TEVIN COLEMAN >> A Week 2 knee injury and far too many runs for negative yardage exhausted the equity he collected as their 2019 starter.
Potential return: Doubtful
14. DEFENSIVE END RONALD BLAIR >> Complications from his knee reconstruction wiped out his 2020 season. How damaged he is remains a mystery. He’s wellliked, however, especially by Saleh. Potential return: Questionable
15. OFFENSIVE LINEMAN BEN GARLAND >> His calf injury compounded the 49ers’ problems in replacing center Weston Richburg. Garland is a trusted veteran when available. Potential return: Questionable
16. WIDE RECEIVER TRENT TAYLOR >> Remember how Jimmy Garoppolo targeted him in vain to save the season opener? Taylor finished with 10 catches all season. He hasn’t looked fully healthy since his rookie season (43 catches). How about one more chance, and not just because he’s tight with George Kittle? Potential return: Doubtful
17. CORNERBACK AHKELLO WITHERSPOON >> He crushed his final few games upon returning to the lineup as an injury replacement. Too many highs and lows in his career likely will lead him out of town. Potential return: Doubtful
18. TIGHT END JORDAN REED >>
He dressed but didn’t play in Sunday’s finale, capping off a lackluster season (26 catches, 231 yards) when they really needed him to help fill George Kittle’s void.
Potential return: Doubtful
19. DEFENSIVE END DION JORDAN >> He exceeded expectations after a wayward career and is a serviceable rotation player, nothing more. Potential return: Doubtful
20. DEFENSIVE END EZEKIEL ANSAH >> Signed after Nick Bosa’s and Dee Ford’s injuries, it took only two games until Ansah ( biceps) added to his troubling medical file. Potential return: Doubtful
21. DEFENSIVE END JORDAN WILLIS >> He helped fill in as a waiver-wire pickup and 2 1/2 sacks showed his promise. Potential return: Questionable
22. CORNERBACK DONTAE JOHNSON >> His 49ers career began in 2014. Will it ever end? Injuries thrust him back onto the field this season, with mixed results, again. Potential return: Doubtful
23. CORNERBACK JAMAR TAYLOR >> A Nov. 29 ACL tear wrecked his season and 2021 payday, after he admirably replaced an injured K’Waun Williams in the slot. Potential return: Doubtful (other than on an injury list)
24. LINEBACKER JOE WALKER >> A 2019 starter with Arizona, he couldn’t climb the 49ers depth chart and didn’t overwhelm on special teams. Potential return: Doubtful
25. GUARD TOM COMPTON >> He started just three of seven games, for an offensive line desperate for interior help. Potential return: Doubtful
26. CENTER HRONISS GRASU >> The season opener was the first of three starts so he gained some familiarity with the system for a potential 2021 roster bid. Potential return: Doubtful
27. OFFENSIVE LINEMAN TONY BERGSTROM >> This nine-year veteran played only 16 special-teams snaps in the final four games. Potential return: Doubtful
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS >> RB Jeff Wilson, S Marcell Harris, CB Emmanuel Moseley, QB Nick Mullens, QB Josh Rosen, TE Ross Dwelley, LS Taybor Pepper. Analysis: All could be locks to retain, even Rosen, who didn’t play in his two games after Mullens’ elbow injury.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS >> OL Da n iel Brunskill, DE Alex Barrett, RB Austin Walter, WR River Cracraft, CB Ken Webster, S Kai Nacua, LS Colin Holba. Analysis: Brunskill was a 16-game starter who shifted from guard to center, positions the 49ers must further upgrade this offseason.