Seven free agents 49ers could target who won't break bank
The top of the 49ers' free-agent priority list is pretty clear, but if they have to move on to Plan B, there are a few players that are good options.As J.J. Watt said on social media, free agency will be a wild ride this year. With teams trying to manipulate their payroll to fit under this season’s declining salary cap, the number of players available likely will be higher than seen in previous years.Two weeks after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Super Bowl LV win, the 49ers have 33 remaining free agents that they have yet to reach an agreement with. Re-signing Trent Williams is the 49ers' top priority with Kyle Juszczyk, Jason Verrett and K’Waun Williams not far behind.It will be nearly impossible for the 49ers to secure all of the free agents they would like, which means they will need to look to the open market and the 2021 NFL Draft to fill some of their needs. With a significant amount of money already tied up in current contracts, getting value will be vital for the club when building their 2021 roster.Flashy signings like Watt or Shaquil Barrett will demand more than what is in the 49ers' budget. But here are seven players who could be a fit without breaking the bank.
Age: 35
Accrued seasons: 12
Previous teams: Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons
Mack is a six-time Pro Bowl selection who is very familiar with Kyle Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme having played for him in Atlanta. While Mack didn’t play his best football in 2020, he could be a solid option if Weston Richburg is unable to return for the 2021 season.
Richburg sat out of the entire 2020 season while rehabbing knee and shoulder injuries and his availability for the upcoming season has not yet been confirmed. Ben Garland, Hroniss Grasu and Tony Bergstrom are all set to become unrestricted free agents which leaves a void in the middle of the offensive line.
Mack has a solid history of staying healthy. He's only missed nine regular-season games over his 12-year NFL career. Pro Football Focus has Mack projected to receive a $6 million contract which is doable as the 49ers look for a solid and familiar option to anchor the offensive line.
Age: 28
Accrued seasons: 5
Previous teams: Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets
Poole is another player who was in Atlanta while Shanahan was the offensive coordinator. While he didn’t play directly under the 49ers head coach, there is familiarity there regarding him as a person and player.
The 49ers have had K’Waun Williams as their slot/nickelback for the past four seasons, but the 29-year old free agent is from New Jersey and a target for New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. Poole could be a solid replacement.
Poole suffered a season ending shoulder injury and missed the final seven games of 2020. He was limited with a knee ailment prior to the shoulder injury. In nine games, he registered 44 combined tackles, 34 solo tackles and two interceptions.
According to Pro Football Focus, Poole has been exceptional in coverage only allowing one touchdown and a passer rating of under 70.0 over the past two seasons as the Jets’ slot corner. He would likely demand a $6 million per year contract.
Position: Safety
Age: 25
Accrued seasons: 5
Previous team: Atlanta Falcons
The former first-round pick has dealt with several injuries during his NFL career, including a torn right ACL and left Achilles tendon. Similar to Verrett, he showed that, when healthy, he still has the ability to deliver on the field.
Neal racked up 100 total tackles in 2020, 76 solo and nine for a loss. He also was responsible for one interception, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one sack. Pro Football Focus ranked him 33rd out of 94 safeties in the league but Neal could be available at great value, with a projected $2-5 million average salary per season.
Neal could be a nice complement to Jimmie Ward who is under contract through the 2023 season. This will be a need if the 49ers do not not re-sign Jaquiski Tartt who has been with the team since being drafted in the second round of the 2015 draft.
Position: Left Tackle
Age: 25
Accrued seasons: 4
Previous team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Plan A is to keep Trent Williams in red and gold, but if the 49ers are unable to secure the eight-time Pro Bowl tackle they need to have a replacement plan in place. Robinson is a solid option that would cost the team less, while still providing blind side protection for Jimmy Garoppolo.
Robinson was a second round selection by the Jaguars out of Alabama and has played nearly every game since returning from an ACL injury that kept him out of all but two games in 2018. While the former Crimson Tide tackle has not been a standout on the offensive line, with proper coaching he can improve.
Pro Football Focus projects Robinson’s 2021 salary to be approximately $2 million which would allow the 49ers to secure the likes of Juszczyk with another multi-year deal while looking for their next tackle in the draft.
Position: Left Tackle
Age: 32
Accrued seasons: 7
Previous team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Another left tackle option for the 49ers is Villanueva. The two-time Pro Bowl left tackle has not missed a game since he became the starter for the Steelers in 2015
Villanueva will be a bit more costly than Robinson with a projected yearly salary of $15 million. The former Army left tackle has been a solid run blocker and his overall Pro Football Focus score ranks him 28th out of 79 tackles.
While he does not have the athleticism or physicality of Williams, he would be a solid option to anchor an offensive line and protect Garoppolo’s blind side.
Position: Fullback
Age: 29
Accrued seasons: 6
Previous teams: Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Washington, New Orleans Saints
Kyle Juszczyk is one of only eight fullbacks who will be a free agent in 2021. Another, Nick Bellore, was a linebacker with the 49ers in 2015-16 prior to being converted to fullback in 2018.
If the 49ers are unable to re-sign Juszczyk, one option available to the 49ers is Burton, who originally started his NFL career as a tight end when he was drafted by the Lions in the fifth round of the 2015 draft.
Burton has appeared in 80 games and has been primarily been used as a blocker. He only has carried the ball 15 times for 29 yards over his six seasons and has 13 career receptions for 81 yards and one touchdown.
The former Rutgers tight end may not have the athleticism and talent that Juszczyk does, but he could be a solid replacement if necessary.
Age: 25
Accrued seasons: 5
Previous teams: New York Giants, Detroit Lions
The 49ers have spent a lot of money on the defensive line in the past and may need to do so again with the future of Dee Ford uncertain. There also is the possibility that Nick Bosa (ACL recovery) may not be ready for the start of the 2021 season.
Okwara not only offers value as a pass rusher with a projected salary of $6.6 million per season, but paired with Bosa could be a solid bookend and rotational player.
In 2020, the former Notre Dame defensive end put together a 10-sack season while also registering 44 total tackles (11 for a loss). Okwara has 20 career sacks, 19 of which have come in the last three seasons with the Lions. He also has 49 career quarterback hits and five forced fumbles.
Kerry Hyder is a free agent that the 49ers would like to keep, but Okwara could be an option if they are unable to re-sign the 29-year old breakout player.
