With over 25+ free agents, the 49ers have some big decisions on their hands.
As you can see from the list above (via overthecap.com), the San Francisco 49ers have quite the dilemma on their hands.
The Dilemma: $$$
The 49ers have a lot of questions to answer regarding roster construction for the 2021 season. At the top of every fans minds are players like Trent Williams and Jason Verrett.
It appears both players will be headed for free agency which isn't a good sign for the 49ers to retain their services. When a player hits the open market with as much perceived value that both Trent and Verrett have, it becomes difficult to bring players back as they will likely get big pay days from other teams.
This isn't a 100% guarantee that these players won't be back but it definitely shouldn't instill confidence in fans hoping for these players to return.
Top 5
Players The 49ers Should Re-sign Prior To Free Agency
5) Center - Ben Garland
Now this may not be the shiny pick everyone was hoping for right off the bat but I think there is a place for center Ben Garland on this 49ers team.
Garland is viewed as a backup but 49ers fans are aware that when he steps in the game, the offense runs just as it should with minimal drop off i.e. when Garland stepped in for Weston Richburg in 2019.
Garland has graded out with a 71+ grade (via PFF) the past three years with inconsistent snaps. Not only do I feel he can be a starter for the 49ers but at the very least, one of the best backup centers in the league. He could be a great bridge/mentor to a rookie center and/or legitimate backup to an additional free agent signing.
4) Cornerback - K' Waun Williams
K'Waun Williams has been a staple in the 49ers defense since joining Kyle Shanahan in 2017. He has quietly been one of the most impactful players on defense since he joined the team. K'Waun ranked 7th out of 115 available CB's in 2019 per PFF.
Although he is inching closer to his 30's and the team could opt to get younger at the nickel, the 49ers find themselves with a lot of holes in the secondary with Richard Sherman stating that he will likely not return.
Not only that, Ahkello Witherspoon and Jaquiski Tartt may find themselves on new team in 2021.
While Emmanuel Moseley is a RFA and could very well be back with the club in 2021, I would attempt to keep Williams from following Robert Saleh to the Jets and try to get a couple more good years out of K'Waun to allow the team to focus on other needs and start molding his replacement.
There is a high chance that K'Waun Williams opts to follow Robert Saleh to the Jets for more money than the 49ers can offer, something to watch for.
3) Fullback - Kyle Juszczyk
From fans perspective, re-signing the best fullback in the league seems like a no-brainer. It may be a little more difficult than some anticipate.
Juice enters free agency being ranked in the top 2 for NFL fullbacks over the past 5 straight years according to PFF metrics. In Kyle Shanahan's scheme, the fullback is extremely important to the success of the run game as well as play-action concepts.
Last season, Juice compiled an impressive 84.8 run blocking grade.
Although it's clear that Juice should be a top priority to retain based on talent and what he brings to the offense, the question that needs to be answered is how much money is he looking for and are the 49ers ready to give him another lucrative contract now that his 4 year, $21,000,000 original contract is up. Juice could demand a similar contract that could actually be too rich for the 49ers a 2nd time around.
It will be interesting if Juice gives a hometown discount to the 49ers or looks to maximize his value. This could ultimately lead to Juice signing elsewhere but I would attempt to bring him back on a short-term contract that is high in guaranteed money to maximie the 49ers current window.
2) Cornerback - Jason Verrett
As we know, Jason Verrett has publicly confirmed that he will be testing the open market via Free Agency. There is still an opportunity for him to return if he doesn’t find a deal he likes.
Verrett enters the open market as one of the best stories of free agency. After missing multiple seasons due injury, Verrett returned to the starting lineup and put out great play for the 49ers. Verrett walked away from the season as the 8th highest-graded CB via PFF.
Because of the injuries he sustained earlier in his career, he has not yet been able to secure a large contract that we see so many players given every offseason. His value has never been higher so I don't fault Verrett in his search of big time money. The fear for 49ers fans is that he will go out and find a deal the team can’t match. I feel this will be the case when all is said and done.
However, if such a deal is not presented to Verrett, it would be great to see the team bring him back on potentially a high-value one-year deal so he can maximize his value durning free agency the following year when that cap isn't lowered due to the impact of Coivd.
If the 49ers can somehow retain Jason Verrett, that would be a big win from a personnel standpoint.
1) Left Tackle - Trent Williams
I am of the impression that most 49ers' fans don't need to much in-depth analysis to understand the importance of retaining the All Pro LT.
Williams quickly proved that he was one of if not the best LT in the NFL due to his massive size and ability to move and destroy defenders.
Fans will remember his sheer dominance in the run game as he would ruthlessly demolish opposing defenders. He is a special blend of size and athleticism that makes him a prototypical left tackle.
The 49ers find themselves in a difficult position as it appears Williams is headed for free agency. Although he is primed to get a large deal from another team in the $20M+/avg per year ballpark, it will be interesting to see if the 49ers will be able to retain his services.
The 49ers should absolutely pay Trent Williams, if he accepts what they are willing to pay is a different story.
The 49ers have plenty of decisions to make that will impact the next decade as this offseason is arguably the most important offseason for the team in recent memory.
The team will likely retain RFA/ERFA’s like CB Emmanuel Moseley and OL Daniel Brunskill in the coming days as the team recently re-signed S Marcell Harris and TE Ross Dwelley to one-year contract extensions. Key depth pieces and cost-controlled starters will have a big impact on the upcoming season.
The next week will paint 49ers’ fans a pretty clear picture of which direction the team is headed.
Stay tuned for the fireworks -- they are just getting started!
