Ranking 49ers' top 25 targets heading into NFL free agency
Editor's note: This story originally was published on March 10.The 49ers have quite a few needs to address when free agency begins March 17.While the club will be unable to resolve every need on the roster with free agents, they must secure as many positions as possible and then use the 2021 NFL Draft to complement those acquisitions.The 49ers will once again try to retain much of their roster to ensure consistency and maintain the close-knit locker room they're known for. Still, there will be a need to bring in free agents to fill voids at various positions, all while trying to fit under the NFL's decreased salary cap.From splurges to bargains, here are 25 free agents who would fit seamlessly with the 49ers. Several on the list are realistic options, but a few would require some masterful contract manipulation. All projected salaries are courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
Position: Linebacker
Age: 29
Accrued seasons: Five
Previous teams: Detroit Lions, New York Jets, New England Patriots
With Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw set to be the mainstays in the linebackers room, the 49ers declined the contract option on special teams standout Mark Nzeocha. It saved them $1.5 million in cap space. With that in mind, the club is not going to spend a lot of money on a free-agent linebacker.
Brandon Copeland is an affordable option to be a rotational player and contributor on special teams. The five-year veteran has actually played nearly an equal number of special teams snaps (1,264) as defensive snaps (1,215).
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers did not move forward with Nzeocha who has been a special-teams contributor for four seasons. Copeland made $1.75 million last season, so the 49ers might not save much.
Why it will happen: While Nzeocha was a regular on special teams, on the field for 963 snaps in four seasons, he only played a significant amount of defensive snaps in 2018 (175). Copeland could provide more value as more of a rotational player on defense.
Position: Cornerback
Age: 26
Accrued seasons: Four
Previous team: Pittsburgh Steelers
A priority for the 49ers during free agency is to re-sign K’Waun Williams, their slot corner for the last four seasons. However, the New Jersey native is coveted by New York Jets coach Robert Saleh, who could lure Williams to return to the East Coast roots.
Mike Hilton is projected to demand a $4 million per-season salary, which is comparable to what Williams is slated to earn. Like Williams, Hilton is no stranger to blitzing opposing quarterbacks, with 9.5 career sacks to his name.
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers will look to the draft's cornerback depth to add a more affordable piece to the secondary. Hilton’s one drawback is his tackling. He missed 17 tackles in 2020, the highest in his four-year career.
Why it will happen: The 49ers know how valuable an effective slot corner is and Hilton provides experience and a known skill set to replace Williams. Coaching will help the cornerback improve his tackling, which could make him a valuable addition to the defense.
Position: Tackle
Age: 35
Accrued seasons: 12
Previous teams: St. Louis Rams, Washington Football Team, Buffalo Bills
Signing a swing tackle during free agency is not a flashy acquisition, but, rather, a necessity. Ty Nsekhe is an affordable option who could be a stop gap until the 49ers are able to develop their own.
Shon Coleman opted out of the 2020 season due to health concerns, having beaten lymphoblastic leukemia as a teenager. The 49ers played musical chairs on the offensive line while many players suffered injuries or missed games due to COVID-19.
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers will invest in a more expensive player to hold down the blind side and won’t spend the estimated $4.5 million on Nsekhe for a season.
Why it will happen: The 49ers need to invest in their offensive line, and Nsekhe will be able to step up in a backup role very effectively. With multiple injuries seen on the offensive line in 2020, the 49ers realize it is good to have insurance.
Nsekhe finished the 2020 season with an overall 80.3 grade from Pro Football Focus after playing four games on the left side and three on the right. His versatility is valuable.
Position: Defensive Line
Age: 31
Accrued seasons: 10
Previous teams: Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos
First-round pick Javon Kinlaw is developing as a force on the interior defensive line, and signing Jurrell Casey could assist in the process. The veteran defender would add necessary leadership and experience.
Casey has been a consistent presence on the field since being drafted in 2011, until he missed all but three games last season due to a torn biceps. He is a five-time Pro Bowler who could be affordable depth for the 49ers if they move on from nose tackle D.J. Jones.
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers have already invested enough on the defensive line and will look for less expensive additions in the draft.
Why it will happen: Casey is projected to earn $5 million on a one-year contract. The veteran will try to join a potential contender, and the 49ers fit the bill.
Position: Wide Receiver
Age: 35
Accrued seasons: 12
Previous teams: St. Louis (now Los Angeles) Rams, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions
The 49ers had high hopes for Trent Taylor after his rookie season, but things did not pan out as planned. Kyle Shanahan would like to have a reliable and effective slot receiver with great hands, and Danny Amendola could be an affordable one-year addition.
Even at 35 years old, the veteran receiver is projected to earn $5 million on a one-year deal. Amendola would provide veteran leadership and experience, as well as a reliable and familiar target for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers would rather bring in a player with the potential to contribute for more than one season. While Amendola brings value at the position, the 49ers will look to the draft to add receiver depth.
Why it will happen: Adding a reliable slot receiver to the field would further expand the possibilities for Shanahan’s offense. Amendola was most productive during his time with the Patriots, catching over 70 percent of his targets for four straight seasons. Amendola can also contribute in the return game, as he has in each of his 12 NFL seasons.
Position: Safety
Age: 30
Accrued seasons: Nine
Previous teams: Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears
The 49ers won’t be looking to break the bank to add a safety to complement Jimmie Ward, but Tashaun Gipson is an affordable option. The former undrafted free agent hasn’t been elected to a Pro Bowl since 2014, but he has offered solid play both in the box and covering the slot.
In his nine NFL seasons, Gipson has registered 25 interceptions and broken up 54 passes. The journeyman proved last season he still has what it takes, missing just seven tackles according to Pro Football Focus.
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers are cutting costs across the board and will move forward with Marcell Harris and Tarvarius Moore partnering up with Ward in the absence of Jaquiski Tartt.
Why it will happen: Gipson’s $2.75 million projected salary is low enough for the 49ers to add experience and leadership to a secondary that should have a lot of new faces in 2021.
Position: Tight End
Age: 30
Accrued seasons: Seven
Previous teams: Washington Football Team, 49ers
The 49ers have George Kittle, Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner set to return in 2021, but Jordan Reed could give the tight-end room more play-making ability. The veteran tight end showed what he is capable of when healthy with mostly a back up quarterback under center.
Reed finished the 2020 season with 26 receptions for 231 yards and four touchdowns, but his most impressive contributions didn't show up on the stat sheet. He caught several of those receptions with passes thrown at the edge of his catch radius.
Why it won’t happen: Reed was only able to suit up for 10 games after suffering knee and ankle injuries early in the season. The 49ers will look to add depth in the draft knowing that Kittle and Dwelley will get the lion’s share of the snaps.
Why it will happen: Reed is a reliable veteran who is well respected and admired by Shanahan and hisstaff. The 30-year old tight end not only provides experience, but leadership on the field without a huge price tag. His one-year deal for 2020 was worth $1.05 million.
After joining the 49ers, Reed admitted that he finally was enjoying football again. He will want to return, becoming another weapon for the 49ers offense.
Position: Defensive End
Age: 25
Accrued seasons: Five
Previous teams: Detroit Lions, New York Giants
The 49ers are always looking to find players who can improve their roster at a value. While Romeo Okwara will not be as economical as Kerry Hyder was in 2020 (one year, $1.5 million), the former Notre Dame edge rusher is one of the more affordable options on the market.
Okwara would not be the flashiest signing, but he could provide a nice complement to an already solid defensive line. He played a career-high 748 snaps in 2020 and netted 61 total pressures, 10 sacks, nine hits and 42 hurries.
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers will look to not allocate further money to a defensive line that already accounts for nearly 25 percent of the salary cap. They will try to find a rotational player to supplement the talent they already have.
Why it will happen: The 49ers know how important the pass rush is to their success, and a player like Okwara will succeed when surrounded by talented players like Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw.
Position: Quarterback
Age: 28
Accrued seasons: Five
Previous teams: New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts
Both John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan have expressed the need to improve the backup quarterback position on their roster, and Jacoby Brissett is a good option. While he is likely to demand a multi-year deal averaging $7 million per season, the 49ers are in need of an upgrade.
Brissett started 15 games for the Colts in both 2017 and 2019. While he didn’t record winning records, he threw 31 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions.
Why it won’t happen: Brissett has not been able to grow into a starter, and the 49ers might take their chances in drafting their own quarterback to develop. His projected salary ultimately keeps the 49ers from biting.
Why it will happen: There aren’t many affordable backup options, and the 49ers are not far removed from seeing how backup quarterback play kept them from the postseason in 2020.
Brissett will not unseat Jimmy Garoppolo from a job, but he could offer competition as well as confidence that if injuries again plague the quarterback room, ball security will be less of a concern.
Position: Running Back
Age: 29
Accrued seasons: Seven
Previous team: New England Patriots
The 49ers are set to head into the 2021 season with Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. as the lead backs. Both are very talented, but Kyle Shanahan’s vision for Jerick McKinnon was never realized after the former Georgia Southern ball carrier sustained an ACL injury before his first season with the team even started.
Could James White be the pass-catching back that Shanahan has always wanted? The former Wisconsin running back has more receptions in his career (369) total more than carries (309).
Why it won’t happen: White is projected to earn $5 million per season, which is more than what Mostert is set to make in 2021 ($2.975 million in base salary). While Shanahan values a pass-catching back, White won’t offer enough of a benefit for the cost.
Why it will happen: White is an excellent route runner and averaged 8.4 yards after the catch in 2020. He offers a great option as a check down for the quarterback. The average distance the ball traveled before he caught it last season was minus-0.7 yards.
Position: Wide Receiver
Age: 28
Accrued seasons: Eight
Previous teams: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens
The 49ers will need to add receiver depth to help Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Willie Snead would offer veteran leadership and reliability in the slot.
Snead’s last contract with the Ravens was a one-year, $6 million extension, concluding his three-season run in Baltimore. Although he hasn't recorded a 1,000-yard season, he still has respectable numbers.
In seven seasons, Snead has caught 275 passes for 3,393 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers are conserving money everywhere possible, and $6-to-7 million for a receiver is a deterrent for the club. While a proven slot receiver is on the shopping list, it might not be ranked highly enough to be seriously considered.
Why it will happen: Shanahan would love to add a veteran slot receiver to his arsenal of offensive weapons. Snead also brings experience and leadership to a young receivers room that responded extremely well to Emmanuel Sanders' arrival halfway through the 2019 season.
Position: Cornerback
Age: 29
Accrued seasons: Six
Previous teams: Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams
The 49ers won't be able to re-sign the four starters in the secondary who can become free agents. Troy Hill is an option who has played on the outside as well as in the slot. In six NFL seasons, Hill has recorded seven interceptions, 29 pass breakups and one sack.
Hill is coming off his best season, playing opposite Jalen Ramsey, and he has been most effective covering the slot. If K’Waun Williams heads to New York to reunite with Robert Saleh, Hill is a good option as a replacement.
Why it won’t happen: Hill is expected to earn over $5 million average per season on a multi-year deal. The 49ers will instead draft a cornerback they can develop over a few seasons.
Why it will happen: Williams will head to New York for a bigger paycheck, and the 49ers will need to replace him with an experienced slot corner. While Hill has had his challenges on the outside, he's still effective. Hill recorded coverage grades in the 70s in four of his six seasons.
Position: Safety
Age: 25
Accrued seasons: Five
Previous Team: Atlanta Falcons
Similar to Jason Verrett, Keanu Neal was finally able to prove his ability in 2020 after previously struggling with injuries. The 2016 first-round pick posted 100 tackles -- 76 solo and nine for a loss -- as well as a sack.
If the 49ers move on from Jaquiski Tartt, who is set to be a free agent, Neal would be a nice secondary partner for Jimmie Ward.
Why it won’t happen: Neal is set to make approximately $5 million per season on a two-year deal, which is slightly higher than Tartt’s projected $4.5 million mark. The 49ers can find much less expensive help at safety though the draft.
Why it will happen: The 49ers need to add depth in the secondary, and Neal is a reasonably priced option who will add leadership and experience. While he hasn’t played to the level of his outstanding rookie season, his game would be raised by playing alongside Ward and behind Fred Warner.
Position: Running Back
Age: 25
Accrued seasons: Four
Previous team: Green Bay Packers
Kyle Shanahan is known for making stars out of undrafted free agent running backs, but Jamaal Williams has the potential to step in immediately and contribute. The former BYU running back led the Packers in rushing yards (556) as a rookie in 2017, but Williams has since played second fiddle to teammate Aaron Jones.
Williams’ history as a depth option makes him not only more affordable, but it also means he has less wear on his legs. In his four NFL seasons, Williams has carried the ball 500 times for 1,985 yards, caught 122 of his 155 targets for 961 yards and scored 18 multi-purpose touchdowns.
In 2020, Williams caught a career-high 88.6 percent of his targets while also gaining an average of 7.1 yards after contact. Williams has also contributed on special teams, playing 342 career special-teams snaps.
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers will return to the field with Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson as the premier backs, with Austin Walter as a third option. They will likely save money by finding an undrafted free agent who will develop into a contributor on a rotational basis.
Why it will happen: Williams is a player who can contribute on the ground and as a receiver. His $3 million average projected salary on a two-year deal is higher than a UDFA, but it also won't break the bank. While Williams’ pass blocking isn’t elite, he has only allowed 17 total pressures over his four seasons in Green Bay.
Position: Wide Receiver
Age: 30
Accrued seasons: Eight
Previous teams: Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions
There's no doubt the 49ers' receiver production improved in 2019 when they acquired Emmanuel Sanders. Marvin Jones offers the same type of veteran leadership and experience, but at a lower price.
After half a season with the 49ers, Sanders signed a two-year $24 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, which was well out of the 49ers' budget. Jones' projected $9 million salary isn't cheap, but it's still more affordable than Sanders'.
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers have a strong pair of receivers in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk atop the depth chart. They won't invest in a more expensive player when they can draft a wideout for much cheaper.
Why it will happen: Jones is from Los Angeles and went to school in the Bay Area at Cal. He is looking for a team that has a chance to go to the postseason and, ultimately, win a Super Bowl ring.
Jones could be heading to the twilight of his career, but his recent experience in the slot would be a boon for Kyle Shanahan. Jones has only dropped more than four passes in one of his eight seasons. By the same token, he hasn't received a Pro Football Focus grade lower than 70.0 since his rookie season.
Position: Defensive End
Age: 25
Accrued seasons: Four
Previous team: Cincinnati Bengals
With Dee Ford’s availability in serious question due to a lingering neck and back injury, the 49ers could look to support Nick Bosa on the defensive line with Carl Lawson. The veteran pass rusher was one of the bright spots on the Bengals' struggling defense.
Lawson played a career-high 723 snaps in 2020, generating 64 total pressures while leading the team with 6.0 sacks and an astounding 32 quarterback hits. For reference, Kerry Hyder led the 49ers with 18 QB hits. Lawson would benefit from the 49ers' strong interior defensive line.
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers have already invested a large percentage of their budget on the defensive line and must allocate funds to other needs. Lawson is set to make more than a $13 million average salary per year on a long-term deal, which is well over what the 49ers are willing to spend.
Why it will happen: The defense is what carried the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2019 and kept them in contention for the postseason amid all the injuries last year. Investing in the pass rush will only keep them competitive going forward, and Lawson could be the final piece to make Bosa and Co. unstoppable.
Position: Tackle
Age: 32
Accrued seasons: Six
Previous team: Pittsburgh Steelers
The 49ers need to lock down the left side of the offensive line with a solid player. While they could choose to look to the draft to develop someone to protect their quarterback’s blind side, this year’s class of left tackles is not as elite as 2020's was.
Without a plug-and-play prospect in the draft, Alejandro Villanueva is an option that could be a solid backup option to Trent Williams. The former Army lineman has played in every Steelers game since 2015, all at left tackle.
Why it won’t happen: Villanueva is projected to earn an average yearly salary of $15 million in a multi-year deal. If the 49ers are unable to secure Williams, they go the less expensive route by drafting a left tackle to develop.
Why it will happen: The 49ers know how important it is to solidify the offensive line with a veteran leader. If they can't sign Williams, Villanueva becomes the next best option. Even as a mid-range run blocker, the 32-year old left tackle has been good in pass protection.
Position: Defensive End
Age: 25
Accrued seasons: Four
Previous teams: Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens
After a tumultuous divorce from the Jaguars, Yannick Ngakoue proved his capabilities on two different rosters last season. The former third-round pick appeared in six games as a Viking and nine for the Ravens. He registered 8.0 sacks and 23 tackles, -- all solo -- and seven for a loss.
Ngakoue is a perfect fit for the 49ers wide-nine defensive line scheme and would benefit from playing under 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek. The former Maryland Terrapin is not great as a run defender but excels on the outside as a pass rusher.
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers are already on the hook for Dee Ford’s five-year contract, which includes an injury guarantee for $11.6 million if he's on the roster April 1. Ngakoue is projected to earn a multi-year contract worth upwards of $17 million per season, and the 49ers are not about to travel down that road again.
Why it will happen: Ngakoue would be a perfect addition to the 49ers' defensive line, with Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw manning the interior. The 49ers value the relationship between rush and coverage and will continue to invest in pieces to disrupt an opposing quarterback’s process.
Position: Center
Age: 29
Accrued seasons: 7
Previous team: Green Bay Packers
The longtime Packer is the best center on the market and will cost a pretty penny. While that might prove an impossibility for the 49ers, there still is a need with Weston Richburg unavailable.
The 49ers still area always looking to get better at every position, and Linsley would definitely be an upgrade. In his seventh season in the league, the center’s Pro Football Focus grades was a career best. In 17 games, he played 734 snaps and only allowed four total pressures -- one sack, two hits and one hurry.
Why it won’t happen: Linsley is projected to receive a multi-year deal worth an average of $11 million per season. With so many needs on the 49ers roster, as well as thinking ahead for players they need to re-sign like Fred Warner, allocating that much of the team’s salary cap on a center is implausible.
Why it could happen: Green Bay made David Bakhtiari the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. They will not be able to pay Linsley what he is capable of demanding in conjunction with their left tackle, so he is destined to hit the market.
If the 49ers are unable to re-sign Trent Williams, they could prioritize a higher caliber center and Linsley would be the target. Instead of signing a left tackle in free agency, the 49ers could select one in the draft and the former Ohio State Buckeye could be a centerpiece for the offense line.
Position: Quarterback
Age: 31
Accrued seasons: 10
Previous Teams: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers
After assessing the 2020 season, it is clear that if the 49ers had less turnovers made by their backup quarterbacks, they would have had a chance of continuing into the postseason. John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan have mentioned repeatedly that they need to upgrade their backup quarterback position and Tyrod Taylor is a viable option.
The journeyman quarterback was set to be the starter for the Chargers in 2020 until a doctor accidentally punctured his lung when trying to relieve pain Taylor was suffering from a rib injury. While he hasn’t again played to the level he showed when he was the starter for the Bills, the Virginia Tech quarterback is an experienced option that could lockdown the 49ers backup role.
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers value the backup quarterback position, but see Taylor’s projected $5 million yearly salary as a deterrent for a non-starter. Nick Mullens is a restricted free agent that they could re-sign with a much lower price tag, although he is recovering from elbow surgery.
Why it will happen: The 49ers found out firsthand how important it is to have a reliable backup quarterback if Jimmy Garoppolo is unable to start. Over his 72 appearances in 10 seasons, Taylor only has a 61.4 percent completion rate but has thrown 54 touchdowns and only 20 interceptions.
Position: Cornerback
Age: 29
Accrued seasons: 6
Previous teams: Cleveland Browns, 49ers
One of the most underrated positions on an NFL defense is the slot cornerback, and K’Waun Williams is one of the best in the game. Williams’ humble beginnings as an undrafted free agent belie his versatile ability on the field.
Williams has proven to be so effective on the field that the 49ers coaching staff even named a blitz package after him called the “shark blitz” with Williams as the shark. While he only appeared in eight games in 2020 after being limited by injury, Williams still managed two quarterback sacks, 22 total tackles, 17 of which were solo and five for a loss.
Why it won’t happen: Williams is projected to sign a multi-year deal at approximately $4 million per season. With so many needs on the 49ers’ roster, they might prioritize other positions at a higher level. Williams also is a favorite of New York Jets coach Robert Saleh, who could lure the defender to return to his home state of New Jersey.
Why it will happen: Williams also is a favorite of Kyle Shanahan, who will push for the 49ers to do what it takes to keep him in Santa Clara. With a young secondary, leadership and experience is vital and Williams would undoubtedly provide that.
Editor's note: This was published before Verrett and the 49ers reportedly agreed to a one-year contract.
Position: Cornerback
Age: 29
Accrued seasons: 6
Previous teams: San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, 49ers
The 49ers took a leap of faith when they first signed Jason Verrett to a one-year, $3.6 million prove-it deal in 2019. It took a second season for the shut-down corner to return to the level of play that made him a first-round pick in 2014.
Verrett only played 14 total snaps in 2019 but in 2020 played beyond his $1.04 million contract. He appeared in 13 games and was on the field for 802 defensive snaps during which he snagged two interceptions and broke up seven passes. He also recorded 60 total tackles, 50 of which were solo and two for a loss.
Why it won’t happen: The 49ers are not known for spending heavily on the secondary in free agency. They have preferred to draft young players and instead reserve money for players in the trenches: The defensive line. Verrett has proven his value and will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $5 million per season and will be looking for a multi-year deal.
Why it will happen: Verrett is a valuable asset to the 49ers' secondary and a priority to keep on the roster. With Richard Sherman set to move on, the 49ers need another veteran leader on the field and the Fairfield native could be the answer.
Position: Center
Age: 35
Accrued seasons: 12
Previous teams: Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons
While Alex Mack’s play over the past two seasons has not been as elite as it once was, he is a reliable center who is a known quantity for Shanahan’s offensive system. Weston Richburg’s hip surgery likely has ended his time with the 49ers and quite possibly the NFL. Mack would be a solid option to take his place on the line.
Mack received a 65.9 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2020, which ranked him 16th of 36 centers, a clear drop from his scores in 2019 (72.1, 9th) and 2019 (80.0, 4th). The Falcons center is a veteran of a zone blocking scheme and could at least prove to be a short-term solution until the 49ers can draft and develop one of their own.
Why it won’t happen: Mack is projected to make $6 million in 2021, which could be too high if the 49ers decide to limit their spending on the offensive line. Ben Garland also is a free agent and known quantity that could be more affordable with a salary in $1-2 million range.
Why it will happen: Having consistency on the offensive line helps productivity and Mack has rarely missed a game in his 12 seasons. While the 35-year-old lineman might be more pricey than options that the 49ers have had in the past while Richburg was unavailable, Mack could also prove to be more effective.
Editor's note: This was published before Juszczyk and the 49ers agreed to a five-year, $27 million contract to return to the Bay.
Position: Fullback
Age: 29
Accrued seasons: 8
Previous teams: Baltimore Ravens, 49ers
Kyle Juszczyk is a football unicorn -- there are very few individuals who play fullback and even less who do it as well as he does.
When Juszczyk first arrived in Santa Clara four seasons ago after signing a four-year, $21 million contract, many 49ers fans scoffed at the price tag. Now, a few seasons later, realizing how integral a skilled fullback is in opening up Shanahan’s run game, he is one of the most important players for the team to re-sign.
Why it won’t happen: Juszczyk has explained that it will be a different decision-making process this time around, it’s not just about the size of the contract. The Harvard graduate is thinking ahead about his family and future, which might influence where he signs. He grew up in Ohio and his wife Kristin is from New York.
Why it will happen: Juszczyk has enjoyed his last four seasons with the 49ers, regularly remarking on how close and enjoyable the locker room is. Shanahan and company will make it worth his while to stay, and being on a team that has the potential to make a run at the postseason makes it even more attractive.
Juszczyk also got a taste of being more featured in Shanahan’s system, scoring a career-high six touchdowns in 2020 while being used as a ball-carrier and receiver.
Position: Left tackle
Age: 32
Accrued seasons: 10
Previous teams: Washington, 49ers
The 49ers No. 1 goal in free agency is to lock down the most athletic and physically dominant left tackle on the market: Trent Williams.
It won’t be easy and it definitely will not be cheap, but if the 49ers want to ensure success for several seasons to come, they must start by re-signing the veteran lineman to a multi-year deal. Williams knows the system and already has shown that his time away from the game only kept him more fresh in his return.
Why it won’t happen: Williams is curious about what his value could be on the free market. With many teams in need of an upgrade on the offensive line, a bidding war could ensue and the 49ers might not have enough cap space to come to an agreement with other glaring areas of need on the roster.
Why it will happen: Williams clearly stated he does not want to be part of a rebuild. After his time in Washington, Williams also wants to play for an organization he knows and trusts. His relationship with Shanahan and newly promoted offensive line coach Chris Foerster could influence his decision to make Santa Clara his home for the foreseeable future.
Williams also knows and understands Shanahan’s system and instantly felt comfortable in the locker room. He was voted to be a team captain by his peers in his first season with the 49ers.
