The 49ers will probably be lively transforming their roster in preparation for the 2022 season.
With free company lower than three weeks away, San Francisco should resolve on which of the 28 free brokers from the 2021 roster will probably be re-signed and who they may goal from different groups.
There are a number of strikes the crew could make to free cap area. The primary is shifting on from Jimmy Garoppolo. Subsequent is restructuring the contract of gamers akin to Arik Armstead, George Kittle, Jimmie Ward, and Trent Williams.
After the above strikes the 49ers may re-sign their unique rights and restricted free brokers and nonetheless have about $29 million in cap area. San Francisco should maintain $7.7 million in reserve for his or her 2022 draft picks, leaving them with roughly $21 million to spend in free company.
There are a number of methods the 49ers can fill their most urgent wants together with: a deep menace, backup quarterback, edge rusher, cornerback, and security. For this train we are going to have a look at a high finish goal for every place together with a cheap various.
1. Extensive Receiver
Finest Case – Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
Williams is about to hit free company for the primary time in his profession. The previous Clemson standout is coming off a profession season throughout which he posted profession highs in receptions (76) and receiving yards (1,146). His 9 touchdowns had been greater than any member of the 2021 49ers.
Standing 6’4” and weighing 218 kilos, Williams possesses the scale and pace to get deep and win on 50-50 balls. During the last 4 seasons Williams has averaged 16.5 yards per reception.
Value-effective choice – Mack Hollins, Miami Dolphins
Hollins may fill the position dealt with by Trent Sherfield in 2021.
At 6’3”, Hollins is an enormous receiver with the flexibility to win vertically down the sector who additionally excels on particular groups.
Enjoying solely 340 offensive snaps for Miami in 2021, Hollins averaged 15.9 yards per reception and 4 touchdowns. Hollins additionally recorded 11 tackles on the season.
2. Backup Quarterback
Finest Case – Marcus Mariota, Las Vegas Raiders
Taken second total by the Tennessee Titans in 2015, Mariota is aware of all too properly the kind of scrutiny Lance will face all through the season.
Mariota has confirmed to be efficient with each his arm and legs. If he doesn’t land a task as a starter elsewhere, San Francisco could be a very good touchdown spot for the veteran. His ability set is much like Trey Lance, making it simpler for Kyle Shanahan to gameplan ought to the necessity come up.
Value-effective choice – Joe Flacco, New York Jets
This can be a transfer that might make sense for San Francisco. Flacco drew curiosity from the 49ers final offseason earlier than signing with Philadelphia. The Eagles would ultimately ship Flacco to the New York Jets in the course of the season in change for a sixth-round decide.
Although his finest days are behind him, Flacco would offer a veteran presence within the 49ers quarterback room. He has expertise working offensive schemes like that of Kyle Shanahan. Enjoying for Gary Kubiak in 2014 with the Baltimore Ravens, Flacco posted the second-best passer score of his profession. He additionally performed for Wealthy Scangarello with the Denver Broncos.
3. Edge Rusher
Finest Case – Von Miller, Los Angeles Rams
Miller is likely one of the finest go rushers within the NFL. Acquired by the Rams in a midseason commerce with Denver, Miller recorded 9 sacks within the ultimate eight video games on the best way to his second profession Tremendous Bowl victory.
Miller will flip 33 in late March and will probably be hitting free company for the primary time in his profession. Nonetheless, there’s no cause to not count on one other 10-sack season from Miller.
Value-effective choice – lengthen 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 assured wage for 2021.
Transferring into the beginning lineup after Dee Ford was misplaced for the season to damage, Ebukam recorded 6.5 sacks and 14 hits over the 49ers ultimate 14 video games of 2021, together with the postseason.
Ebukam is scheduled to have a cap hit of $8.25 million in 2022. If San Francisco can negotiate an extension to decrease that to round $4.45 million the veteran may present terrific worth.
4. Cornerback
Finest Case – D.J. Reed, Seattle Seahawks
A fifth-round decide of San Francisco in 2018, Reed slipped out of the 49ers arms after they obtained somewhat too cute with their roster. As a substitute of clearing waivers, Reed was claimed by Seattle.
Reed is coming off a profession 12 months in 2021, permitting opposing quarterbacks to finish solely 47.7% of targets and a 67.8 score on throws into his protection.
Reed is at his finest when taking part in on the precise facet of the protection. That matches completely with a San Francisco protection that includes Emmanuel Moseley on the left facet.
Along with being robust on the surface, Reed can play within the slot. That kind of place versatility is what San Francisco seems for.
Value-effective choice – Desmond King II, Houston Texans
Like Reed, King has proven the flexibility to play on the surface and within the slot throughout his profession. King is coming off a season that noticed him permit a decrease completion fee than Ok’Waun Williams and an identical score.
San Francisco followers might bear in mind King for choosing off a Trey Lance go in week 17. King completed the season with three interceptions.
King is a strong run defender, an vital trait from the slot. He recorded 93 tackles and had a missed sort out fee of solely 8.8%.
5. Security
Finest Case – Justin Reid, Houston Texans
Reid exhibits the pace to make performs from sideline to sideline on any given play. In 2021, Reid allowed opposing quarterbacks to finish solely 53.3% of passes into his protection and a score of 82.9.
Reid performed 780 snaps in 2021, recording 66 tackles and two interceptions. He has missed solely 8 video games in his first 4 seasons, taking part in a minimum of 85% of defensive snaps every year.
Value-effective choice – Jaquiski Tartt
The 49ers secondary was higher with Tartt on the sector, nevertheless that’s the large query surrounding the free security. Tartt’s damage historical past is paying homage to Jimmy Garoppolo, making him a little bit of a threat to signal long run.
Tartt performed 727 snaps in 2021, recording 66 tackles together with 5 for loss, all profession highs.
The seven-year veteran signed a one-year deal value $987,500 to stick with San Francisco final season. His 2022 contract valuation is approximated at solely $2.7 million. Tartt’s damage historical past may very well be a priority for San Francisco.
