Disclaimer: I have no idea if the 49ers will re-sign sign any of these players.
The 49ers currently have roughly $8 million in cap space available and 27 players set to become free agents.
Don’t let that cap number fool you. At this point last offseason San Francisco was $5 million over the cap and were able to build arguably the deepest roster in the NFL.
The NFL salary cap isn’t a myth, however, if a team strongly desires to keep a player, they can find a way to make it happen.
Here are five players I think the 49ers should focus on bringing back to enhance their roster.
Mike McGlinchey
After a torn quad tendon sidelined McGlinchey the previous season, there were doubts about his ability to return to form in 2022.
The right tackle responded by putting together his best season as a 49er.
Over the final ten weeks McGlinchey allowed just one sack and one quarterback hit.
McGlinchey is expected to garner a new contract in the range of $16 million per season. For a team looking to get past falling just short in consecutive seasons, bringing back the best right tackle on the free agent market should be their top priority.
Jake Brendel
Heading into the season the center position was a major question mark for San Francisco.
Despite going into his age 30 season with only three NFL starts under his belt, Brendel won the starting job.
Brendel was key to San Francisco’s offensive line having the lowest percentage of sacks during Kyle Shanahan’s time with the 49ers. The former UCLA Bruin played the most snaps of any 49ers offensive lineman and allowed the fewest pressures among the starters.
After making $1.035 million in 2022, Brendel is due for a raise. His age and relative lack of experience should keep his price tag low enough for a return to San Francisco.
Tashaun Gipson
Gipson wasn’t signed until Jimmie Ward went down during training camp with a hamstring injury.
The veteran not only filled in for Ward, but Gipson also took his job.
Pairing Gipson with Talanoa Hufanga gave San Francisco’s secondary something they haven’t had in years, a pair of ball hawking safeties.
Gipson’s five interceptions led the 49ers. More importantly, his veteran presence helped Hufanga grow into an All-Pro in his first season as a starter.
At 32, Gipson is unclear about his future. The 49ers should make him an offer he can’t refuse.
Samson Ebukam
Ebukam joined the 49ers in free agency prior to the 2021 season. The defensive end finished with 4.5 and five sacks in two seasons with San Francisco.
A solid run defender, Ebukam doesn’t have the burst you’d like to see opposite Nick Bosa. Considering the price tag for free agent edge rushers, Ebukam fits for the 49ers, especially if Arik Armstead can stay healthy and return to form.
Charles Omenihu
San Francisco acquired Omenihu in 2021 in a midseason trade with Houston.
Omenihu showed off his versatility this season, lining up at both end positions along with playing along the interior. His length and quickness help him win. He finished 2022 with a career high 4.5 sacks while finishing second on the team with 16 quarterback hits.
An arrest in late January for misdemeanor domestic violence may impact how the 49ers and other teams view Onemihu’s value.
Jack Hammer….excellent post Jack. I wasn’t sure about Mt. McGlinchey, and your post straightened that out for me. Brandeis , Brendel, Ebukam, and Omenihu were also very important as far as strengthening our front and second string lines. I think that we’re pretty damned strong for having filled-in so many ‘holes’Nicely done….
I’m not sure about the first two. I say no to McGlinchey If there is a bidding war If they sign McGlinchey then no to Brendel. If they don’t sign McGlinchey then they should sign Brendel. It would be a mistake to replace both of them. From what I have been reading/hearing the 9ers should have as much as 45 mill in cap room if they restructure around 5 contracts. If that is the case I would resign Ridgeway for sure, Omenihu and or Willis whomever is less expensive and Hyder. I would let Ebukam go. I would resign Gipson for 2 years but front load his contract in case his level of play really drops off. Then my 2 or 3 big FA signings would be at DT, OT and or DE. I would draft in order a C, TE, S, QB, KO specialist (who can eventually replace Gould as their FG kicker) CB, TE, OT and RB.
I forgot to include resigning Gould.
Another FA signing might be Arden Key. Evidently his level of play dropped off for Jacksonville this year. He might come very cheap and he had his only good year playing for Kocurek.
I totally forgot Eman, hopefully he will come cheap fresh off of a ACL>
Ya know Coach, I’m on the other side of this contract with EMan. Just considering the business side of things… These guys sacrifice their bodies to earn enough money to hopefully change the trajectory for their families. EMan wasn’t a top level guy coming out of college. He worked and earned everything he’s been paid. I hope EMan gets overpaid by the 49ers. i hope he gets a contract that will last him the rest of his life and sets his kids up for success in their lives. Perhaps there needs to be playing time incentives but I really do hope EMan gets a huge contract that sets him for life.
I agree but I don’t know I have seen the office line allow a lot of pressure on the quarterbacks I think they still need to beef it up a little bit. Not in terms of size but in terms of talent and technique. And they need to replace Jovan kinlaw I think they can do better with someone that can maybe stay healthier and have better technique. And another big time de to take pressure off of Nick Bosa.
They can’t replace Kinlaw because of the cap hit.
Felix,
They can if they trade him. If they keep him he costs Approx. 9 mill. If they trade him he costs Approx 4 mill. So by trading him he saves the 9ers about 5 mill on the cap. Now they just have to find a trade partner.
Hypothetical without any basis in reality. Like who would trade for him.
Possibly one of the teams that lose a DT FA. There are quite a few FA DTs. They would only have to pay about 5 mill for him
and he would have to pass their physical
Ebukam is a no for me would rather have a recouping Emmanuel Moseley. It will not be hard to replace Ebukam in fact I think Drake can fill it even better.
I have high hopes for Drake. But at this point he’s a pass rush specialist and a liability in the run game.
I think they may sign a FA to supplement Willis, Hyder and or Jackson.
No way on McGlinchey. Tom Compton a FA is less money and performed better than McGlinchey did last year. Gipson for sure and EMan is way more important. Like Key returning too.
Glinch was better as the year went on. Tom Compton? Brendel did very well, and should only get better. I think year two of Brendel, Banks and Burford will be better, and I hope Brunskill stays too. I’d like to see Jimmie Ward back at free safety. I think Gipson is a true SS. No one knows about Moseley. I worry he’s a lot like Verrett, can’t stay healthy. Since folks here are talking bout draft picks, there will still be a few very good OTs remaining in the 3rd round of the draft. I’d grab two of them.
I don’t think they can afford Omenihu….or Ebukan. I think the opposite End will likely have to be either Jordan Willis or Drake Jackson or a combo of the two.
It would be great to get McGlinchey back but I don’t think they can afford him. I think the team is high on McKivitz as a possible replacement. I’m not sure how they feel about Jaylon Moore. I think Zakelj is seen as primarily a Guard.
I think they will try hard to sign McGlinchy because of the value Kyle places on tackles. I’m not sold on Gipson over Ward. Otherwise I agree with the other 4
Not a player on that list who can’t be replaced… and replaced easily.
Easily?
“Over the final ten weeks McGlinchey allowed just one sack and one quarterback hit.”
Most of those games started by Brock Purdy who made it a habit to always run to the left, completely away from any pressure that McGlinchey would have (or have not) allowed. I wonder how much the O-Lines sack percentages benefited from Jimmy G, finally starting to learn the QB’s can indeed throw the ball away instead of take a sack, and from Purdy’s mobility to avoid pressure? I feel McGlinchey to be a player both underrated and overrated at the same time. I am definitely not an expert on line play, but I have the distinct impression that McGlinchey is the definition of average.
“Most of those games started by Brock Purdy who made it a habit to always run to the left, completely away from any pressure that McGlinchey would have (or have not) allowed. I wonder how much the O-Lines sack”
That’s a very good and perceptive point. But, in this new almost college offense style of play there may now be more QBs with the ability to run than at anytime before.
Many solid Olineman around the league have padded their ratings because they had a QB with the ability to run out of the pocket.
McG came back after a major injury and had a good year. I believe that he may be trending up in his play now that he’s a year removed from injury. Losing him does not ensure we find someone better. I hope the 49ers and McG can work out a deal to keep him here.
Jack
Just read this article. It should help the 9ers if they’re interested in signing FA Center Garrett Bradbury, RT Blake Brendel, CB Patrick Peterson or DE Dalvin Tomlinson
“The Minnesota Vikings are in a position that is not ideal for the salary cap. According to Over The Cap, the Vikings are about $23 million over the salary cap heading into the 2023 season. Things didn’t get any easier as they saw some dead cap added onto the books.”
On Monday, the contracts for both CB Patrick Peterson and DE Dalvin Tomlinson both voided adding a total of $8.25 million in dead money to the salary cap.
QUESTION: If the 9er FO can fit them under the salary cap, should they try to sign any of these Viking free agents?
Jack
I just read this article. It should help the 9ers if they’re interested in signing FA Center Garrett Bradbury, RT Blake Brendel, CB Patrick Peterson or DE Dalvin Tomlinson.
“The Minnesota Vikings are in a position that is not ideal for the salary cap. According to Over The Cap, the Vikings are about $23 million over the salary cap heading into the 2023 season. Things didn’t get any easier as they saw some dead cap added onto the books.”
“On Monday, the contracts for both CB Patrick Peterson and DE Dalvin Tomlinson both voided adding a total of $8.25 million in dead money to the salary cap.”
QUESTION: If the 9er FO can fit them under the salary cap, should they try to sign any of these Viking free agents?
I’m not sure about McGlinchey. I don’t think he’s great but there are a lot of guys who would be worse. Brendel is a backup. Nothing more. He should be signed for backup money and the 49ers should be looking at upgrading the Center position by any means necessary.
I like Gipson but not sure how much to pay a 32 year old safety. Kinda makes you wonder if the 49ers are trying to decide between signing Gipson or Ward. I think Ward is gone but you never know. My feeling was that Ward’s versatility may have played against him. 49ers needed help at slot CB and Ward can play that spot. Gipson is a Safety who can only play Safety. I’m not so sure Gipson beat out Ward as much as the 49ers needed Ward at another position. If the 49ers believe Womack can fill the Slot CB position then could they possibly resign Ward and let Gipson walk.
Ebukam shows flashes but he seems very inconsistent. I may be off but it really looks like the inconsistency is due to inconsistent effort. If the coaches see it that way, then it would be tough to resign a player like that for mid level money.
I really like Omenihu, notwithstanding his run in with the law. If the 49ers have info that situation is very serious they’ll never resign him. The press reports don’t look good but it’s not felony assault so that tells me it could be a situation where mandatory counseling could help keep Omenihu in house. Omenihu is an extremely valuable player due to his versatility. He can fill in at just about any d-line spot. That’s a rarity in the NFL. I’m hoping the 49ers find a way to resign Omenihu. Out of all the guys on your list, I think I’d rank Omenihu as a top priority. Probably along with McGlinchey.
For a player that hardly got on the field in two previous seasons, Brendel took the reins and exceeded his doubters expectations. He grew and lifted his level of play throughout the season.
He will only get better in his second year as a starter.
There’s a reason why I believe some teams will pay him more than the 49ers.
Would like to keep him and McG for continuity along the Oline, but not sure we can afford both of them.
Time for Parrage to work his magic.
Tomlinson is more of a DT than a DE. He is good and probably wont break the bank. Signing him and signing Ridgeway would give the 49ers a good rotation at DT. If Kalia Davis develops that would give them the depth they need to cover Kinlaws inevitable injury. Brandal would be a giant step down from McGlinchey. Bradbury like Brendel is a middle of the pack center. Peterson is pretty old and other than his int #s is pretty Avg.
Hey, all who just texted. Niner Faithful! It doesn’t much matter what or how they do the offseason, what with the draft and free agency, the Niners don’t gave to rebuild. They just have to supplement and reload and get a couple of guys healthy. You know, every teams greatest adversary is not a football team. It’s the lousy injury bug from Hades. It’s hard to tell how good a team really is when players keep getting hurt.the 49ers certainly can attest to this.
Not a player on that list who can’t be replaced
just to put out there. i was very disappointed in Deebos conditioning and performance last year. any possibility of a trade for draft picks or cap relief ? i am afraid he got the money and lost a bit of desire
No, dead money for trying to trade Deebo is around $28 mill. Total non-starter.
“According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Dr. Keith Meister recommended that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy postpone his surgery, which was scheduled for tomorrow. There is still inflammation in Purdy’s elbow. The quarterback met with Meister today, and they’ll reconvene in early March.”
How much this will delay Purdy’s return is up for guess work at the moment. But if the original plan was to have him back in August (had he had surgery tomorrow) this minor setback may put his return for sometime in September.
IF then. Counting on Purdy’s return early next season is a fool’s errand. Thanks Kyle.
Looking forward to seeing how Lance can improve this off-season. It would really be great to have 2 guys competing at a high level.
Agreed, it would be a nice surprise to see Lance take a step forward
I believe with this latest delay you can pretty much say that Lance will be the starter for the first quarter of the season minimum and probably longer. I hope he takes the bull by the horns and owns the job. I also believe that they now need to sign a good vet QB to backup Lance. I don’t see Purdy being an option until the 2nd half of the season and I would make sure he is 100% physically and Mentally ready to step in before they use him. So which FA should they sign and which QB should they draft. I think there is one caveat to the FA signing he must be paid less than 4 mill with incentives built in.
McGlinchy benefits by being in a play action passing game. If he had to only dropback pas block in what Tom Brady had to endure under Byron Leftwich this year, he’d fail.
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It’s impressive to see how the 49ers were able to turn their cap situation around from last offseason and build a deep roster. It’s also true that if a team is determined to keep a player, they can make it happen. These five players that the 49ers should focus on bringing back all played a significant role in the team’s success this season. Mike McGlinchey was a standout right tackle, and keeping him should be a top priority. Jake Brendel exceeded expectations and proved to be a reliable center. Tashaun Gipson stepped up when Jimmie Ward was injured and led the secondary with his ball-hawking abilities. Samson Ebukam and Charles Omenihu both made valuable contributions to the defense. It will be interesting to see how the 49ers approach negotiations with these players, but bringing them back would undoubtedly enhance the team’s roster.