Free agency alone won’t satisfy all of the 49ers’ needs
The 49ers’ backup quarterback is currently Josh Rosen or Josh Johnson.
Their slot receiver? Let’s see … (scanning the roster) … Richie James?
Their cornerback situation is scary, their interior offensiveline depth is nearly nonexistent and they need another edge rusher.
Yes, after the first wave of free agency, the 49ers still have some obvious roster issues.
But no real need to fret, Faithful: They also have a surprising amount of salarycap space
and nine draft picks at their disposal to address those holes.
For starters, the cap space. The details of pass rusher Dee Ford’s restructured contract are in and it provided about $11 million in cap savings in 2021, according to OverTheCap.com. That’s based on Ford’s new and relatively modest cap charge of $8.9 million this season. The result: The 49ers had about $20 million in cap space before factoring in the oneyear contract safety Jaquiski Tartt signed Monday.
As far as their nine picks, it’s worth noting only two selections (No. 12, No. 43) are among the top 100. However, their later selections, which include three in the fifth round, can be used to bolster depth at some of their thin positions.
A look at where the 49ers still have work to do:
Backup QB
The 49ers brought in Jets quarterback Joe Flacco, 36, for a freeagent visit last week, but Flacco signed with the Eagles on Tuesday.
Now what? The remaining free agents include the likes of Colt McCoy, Brian Hoyer, Blaine Gabbert and Matt Barkley, all ex49ers who might inspire a mild revolt if they returned to Santa Clara. There is Alex Smith, an ex49er in good standing, but Smith isn’t a logical candidate to provide insurance behind injuryplagued Jimmy Garoppolo. Smith, 36, was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2020 after his remarkable return from a horrific leg injury. However, Smith also missed most of the final month of the season with a calf injury on his rebuilt leg.
The 49ers could address the issue in a trade. Sam Darnold ( Jets), Marcus Mariota (Raiders), Teddy Bridgewater (Panthers) and Gardner Minshew ( Jaguars) all reportedly could be or have been shopped by their teams.
Even if the 49ers add a veteran, here’s a safe bet: They will draft a quarterback.
It’s possible they use one of their first two picks on the position. If so, the rookie could serve as the primary backup for 2021 while being groomed to take over the position in 2022, when
Garoppolo is scheduled to count $27 million against the salary cap.
Slot receiver
The 49ers no longer have Kendrick Bourne, who signed with the Patriots, and there isn’t an obvious replacement on the roster.
They do have Jalen Hurd, an intriguing 2019 thirdround pick. But hoping for contributions from a player who hasn’t logged a regularseason snap in the NFL because of a back injury and torn ACL, respectively, isn’t a plan. Similarly, Travis Benjamin, 31, who has played in just five games since 2018 because of injuries and his 2020 optout season, is a roll of the dice.
Emmanuel Sanders, 34, their key 2019 tradedeadline acquisition, was viewed as a logical freeagent candidate to assume this role after spending last season with the Saints. However, Sanders signed a oneyear, $6 million deal with the Bills last week. Another 30something exPro Bowler who remains on the market: Golden Tate, 32, had 35 catches for 388 yards in 12 games for the Giants in 2020.
It would be a shocker if the 49ers didn’t draft a wide receiver; they’ve selected at least one in every draft since 2003.
Cornerback
The 49ers signed Jason Verrett to a oneyear deal and gave Emmanuel Moseley a twoyear extension.
That gives them two starters — and not much else.
The 49ers have six other cornerbacks, none of whom is guaranteed to stay on the roster: Dontae Johnson, Tim Harris, Ken Webster, Mark Fields, Briean BoddyCalhoun and Adonis Alexander.
Along with depth concerns, there is the matter of locating a slot corner. K’Waun Williams, 29, who has capably manned the slot since 2017, is a free agent, but he remains on the market after visiting the Chiefs on Monday. It’s possible the depressed market will lead Williams back to the 49ers on a oneyear deal. If so, it would mirror the situation with Tartt, who returned to the 49ers after exploring his options.
sive linemen who are part of their 2021 plans: starting center Alex Mack, starting left guard Laken Tomlinson, projected starting right guard Daniel Brunskill and reserve guard Colton McKivitz, a 2020 fifthround pick.
The 49ers could look to provide competition for Brunskill. And draft a future replacement for Mack, 35, who hasn’t committed to playing beyond 2021.
At the very least, they need to add players who could be serviceable backups.
Last week, they hosted former Green Bay guard Lane Taylor, 31, for a freeagent visit, NFL Network reported. Taylor’s career has been derailed by injuries. Since he started 46 of 48 games for Green Bay from 2016 through ’18, he has played in just three games because of a torn biceps and torn ACL, respectively.
Edge rusher
The 49ers’ edge rushers include Nick Bosa, who is coming off a torn ACL, and recent freeagent signee Samson Ebukam, who has 14 sacks in four NFL seasons. And Ford, who missed the final 15 games last season with his third serious back injury since college.
The 49ers need another pass rusher.
Their 2020 sack leader, Kerry Hyder, signed with the Seahawks on Tuesday. However, there are a host of older, exPro Bowlers who could be wellsuited for an offthebench role. That group of free agents includes four players aged 3133: Carlos Dunlap, most recently with Seattle; Justin Houston (Indianapolis); Everson Griffen (Detroit) and Melvin Ingram (Los Angeles Chargers).