Free agents the 49ers could target

Posted By on February 24, 2022

The 49ers will be active reworking their roster in preparation for the 2022 season.

With free agency less than three weeks away, San Francisco must decide on which of the 28 free agents from the 2021 roster will be re-signed and who they will target from other teams.

There are several moves the team can make to free cap space. The first is moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo. Next is restructuring the contract of players such as Arik Armstead, George Kittle, Jimmie Ward, and Trent Williams.

After the above moves the 49ers could re-sign their exclusive rights and restricted free agents and still have about $29 million in cap space. San Francisco must keep $7.7 million in reserve for their 2022 draft picks, leaving them with roughly $21 million to spend in free agency.

There are several ways the 49ers can fill their most pressing needs including: a deep threat, backup quarterback, edge rusher, cornerback, and safety. For this exercise we will look at a top end target for each position along with a cost-effective alternative.

1. Wide Receiver

Best Case – Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers

Williams is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career. The former Clemson standout is coming off a career season during which he posted career highs in receptions (76) and receiving yards (1,146). His nine touchdowns were more than any member of the 2021 49ers.

Standing 6’4” and weighing 218 pounds, Williams possesses the size and speed to get deep and win on 50-50 balls. Over the last four seasons Williams has averaged 16.5 yards per reception.

Cost-effective option – Mack Hollins, Miami Dolphins

Hollins could fill the role handled by Trent Sherfield in 2021.

At 6’3”, Hollins is a big receiver with the ability to win vertically down the field who also excels on special teams.

Playing only 340 offensive snaps for Miami in 2021, Hollins averaged 15.9 yards per reception and four touchdowns. Hollins also recorded 11 tackles on the season.

2. Backup Quarterback

Best Case – Marcus Mariota, Las Vegas Raiders

Taken second overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2015, Mariota knows all too well the type of scrutiny Lance will face throughout the season.

Mariota has proven to be effective with both his arm and legs. If he does not land a role as a starter elsewhere, San Francisco would be a good landing spot for the veteran. His skill set is similar to Trey Lance, making it easier for Kyle Shanahan to gameplan should the need arise.

Cost-effective option – Joe Flacco, New York Jets

This is a move that could make sense for San Francisco. Flacco drew interest from the 49ers last offseason before signing with Philadelphia. The Eagles would eventually send Flacco to the New York Jets during the season in exchange for a sixth-round pick.

Though his best days are behind him, Flacco would provide a veteran presence in the 49ers quarterback room. He has experience running offensive schemes like that of Kyle Shanahan. Playing for Gary Kubiak in 2014 with the Baltimore Ravens, Flacco posted the second-best passer rating of his career. He also played for Rich Scangarello with the Denver Broncos.

3. Edge Rusher

Best Case – Von Miller, Los Angeles Rams

Miller is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Acquired by the Rams in a midseason trade with Denver, Miller recorded nine sacks in the final eight games on the way to his second career Super Bowl victory.

Miller will turn 33 in late March and will be hitting free agency for the first time in his career. Still, there’s no reason to not expect another 10-sack season from Miller.

Cost-effective option – extend Samson Ebukam

Ebukam joined the 49ers as a free agent in 2021, signing a two-year $12 million contract with a signing bonus of $3.5 million and $1.5 million in guaranteed salary for 2021.

Moving into the starting lineup after Dee Ford was lost for the season to injury, Ebukam recorded 6.5 sacks and 14 hits over the 49ers final 14 games of 2021, including the postseason.

Ebukam is scheduled to have a cap hit of $8.25 million in 2022. If San Francisco can negotiate an extension to lower that to around $4.45 million the veteran could provide terrific value.

4. Cornerback

Best Case – D.J. Reed, Seattle Seahawks

A fifth-round pick of San Francisco in 2018, Reed slipped out of the 49ers hands when they got a little too cute with their roster. Instead of clearing waivers, Reed was claimed by Seattle.

Reed is coming off a career year in 2021, allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete only 47.7% of targets and a 67.8 rating on throws into his coverage.

Reed is at his best when playing on the right side of the defense. That fits perfectly with a San Francisco defense featuring Emmanuel Moseley on the left side.

In addition to being strong on the outside, Reed can play in the slot. That type of position versatility is what San Francisco looks for.

Cost-effective option – Desmond King II, Houston Texans

Like Reed, King has shown the ability to play on the outside and in the slot during his career. King is coming off a season that saw him allow a lower completion rate than K’Waun Williams and a similar rating.

San Francisco fans may remember King for picking off a Trey Lance pass in week 17. King finished the season with three interceptions.

King is a solid run defender, an important trait from the slot. He recorded 93 tackles and had a missed tackle rate of only 8.8%.

5. Safety

Best Case – Justin Reid, Houston Texans

Reid shows the speed to make plays from sideline to sideline on any given play. In 2021, Reid allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete only 53.3% of passes into his coverage and a rating of 82.9.

Reid played 780 snaps in 2021, recording 66 tackles and two interceptions. He has missed only 8 games in his first four seasons, playing at least 85% of defensive snaps each year.

Cost-effective option – Jaquiski Tartt

The 49ers secondary was better with Tartt on the field, however that’s the big question surrounding the free safety. Tartt’s injury history is reminiscent of Jimmy Garoppolo, making him a bit of a risk to sign long term.

Tartt played 727 snaps in 2021, recording 66 tackles including 5 for loss, all career highs.

The seven-year veteran signed a one-year deal worth $987,500 to stay with San Francisco last season. His 2022 contract valuation is approximated at only $2.7 million. Tartt’s injury history could be a concern for San Francisco.

This article has 17 Comments

  1. I doubt Justin Reid would play for Jed York.

    Why not resign Verrett to play slot? I like him and Lenoir battling for the slot role.

  2. i would only be interested in Von Miller, Reed and Mariota on that list as far as FAs id bring in IMO.
    There are plenty of cheap, younger qbs out there for the back up spot. and id rather have an athletic one like Tyrod Taylor, Brisset or eve Trubisky……this way the offense wouldnt change much if they had to play.

    Id rather keep Tartt than most of the FA safeties. The upgrades would be far more expensive IMO….

    At wr, i agree that a 6’4 -6’5 guy is what we are missing…..hopefully said guy would be FAST! The kid from ND state, who played with Lance would be where i looked to, especially if he could be had in round 3-4.
    Valdez- Scantling from GB would be the cheap FA i would look at……Davante Adams would be my super long shot, swing for the fence choice…….but that would be an extreme luxury…….and im about to list 3-4 guys/ positions that are less of a long shot/ more important.

    1. C – Ryan Jensen bucs. this might be my top choice of any FA . All-po, important position. would help Lance a great deal by calling protections/ pointing out blitzes etc.

      CB- JC Jackson-pats- very good chance he gets the tag, making this a moot point. But id rather give that guy $17 mil a year than Gillmore $15. Jackson is so young. He could be a cornerstone of that D and secondary for 6 years. Top tier cb and top tier pass rush…….WOW!!!!! That D has 2 weaknesses……. giving up big passing plays on he outside, especially to big name wr’s……and lack of turnovers. Jackson is a pick machine and would solve both issues.
      There would still ne room for Reed or another young cb. Getting 2 young stud Cbs would seem redundant…..but it would allow us to put the position to bed so to speak. To not have to worry about it, spend time, $$$ or draft capitol on it for a long while.

      Edge- Von Miller my top choice! Hes the most proven and it would weaken the Rams, thus making it a 2 for 1. There are a few other solid guys The guy who the Falcons just cut whos name is escaping me. Im not a fan of the idea of cutting Ebukam……especially if Miller or someone else with a proven track record is not the replacement.

      1. I’m shocked how popular of an opinion it is to cut Ebukam. He only had 4.5 sacks, but you like to see that in 7 games he had 1 sack or .5 sacks. I think he will get better in his 2nd year which is also a contract year.

  3. Our best case backup QB is actually good enough to start. His name is Colin Kaepernick and he is still a free agent. If this front office had any sense they would sign him immediately. I will continue to boycott the 49ers until the Yorks right there wrong and bring him back. Wake up niners fans!

      1. I did for over 5 years after our worthless choke artist coach “Shanahan the Loser” got rid of our best QB since Montana.

    2. Colin..nobody likes a guy that constantly toots his own horn..give it up already…you were mediocre at best when you played here the first time…I seriously doubt you bare a striking resemblance to wine..i.e. getting better with age…you’re better off dragging around your soap box in attempts to achieve relevance….9er fans have moved on

  4. Regarding Kaepernick: Why introduce a cancer like organism into an otherwise healthy entity? IMO.

  6. I have always been a big Mariota fan. He would excel with Shanny and might scare Lance into greatness. Injury prone, I believe he gets a starting gig somewhere.

    I doubt that he is the same bayareafanatic.

    Hey bay, what town were you living in 5 – 7 years ago? You and I are from the same town remember?

  7. Stopped reading when I saw Joe Flacco – seriously?

    dumb article…..do you even understand the 49er personnel

    Seriously Joe Flacco ?? TF kinda drugs are you on?

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