Now that the first wave of NFL free agency is behind us, we’re highly intrigued to see what the San Francisco 49ers do with the $37.8 million they still have to spend under the cap.
Having added multiple starters thus far this March, the 49ers will likely wait until after next month’s draft to continue bargain shopping. Even then, there’s a ton of options available to the team.
Here, we check in on the top remaining free agents San Francisco might look at moving forward.
Note: The article will be updated throughout the offseason to take into account signings, other players potentially set to be released and those the 49ers have brought in themselves.
Andy Levitre, Guard, Atlanta Falcons
Outside of re-signing starting right guard Mike Person to a three-year deal, San Francisco has not done much to address depth on the offensive line. That’s magnified in the interior where injury-plagued former first-round pick Josh Garnett is the top backup at guard.
Coming off a 2018 campaign that saw him miss all but two games with torn triceps, Levitre would be a cost-effective option over Garnett. He started all 32 games at guard for then-Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in 2015 and 2016. Familiarity could play a role here.
Ezekiel Ansah, EDGE, Detroit Lions
Once the 49ers traded for Dee Ford, the idea of teaming Ansah up with former Lions defensive line coach Kris Kocurek was seemingly thrown out the window. Now that we’re in the second wave of free agency, this becomes a likelier possibility.
Ansah, 29, enjoyed the best years of his career with the new 49ers’ DL coach in Detroit — racking up 14.5 and 12.0 sacks in two different seasons. There’s a chance Ansah decides that Kocurek is the best option for him to re-brand himself and hit the free-agent market once again next march.
Donald Penn, Offensive Tackle, Oakland Raiders
As of right now, Shon Coleman and Erik Magnuson are the 49ers’ top-two backups at tackle. Coleman never panned out in Cleveland before being dealt to San Francisco prior to the start of last season. Magnuson has rarely seen the field in two seasons.
Needless to say, San Francisco can use depth at tackle. Whether the 35-year-old three-time Pro Bowler is willing to be a swing tackle at this point in his career remains to be seen.
Tre Boston, Safety, Arizona Cardinals
One of the more underrated free agents, Boston hasn’t found a solid market for his services. This is rather interesting given that he’s recorded 24 passes defended and 10 interceptions over the past three seasons. Still only 26 years old, he could be a long-term free safety option in San Francisco. At issue here is the 49ers re-signing Jimmie Ward to a one-year, $4.5 million deal. Is that contract indicative of Ward being a backup? We’re not too sure.
Darian Stewart, Safety, Denver Broncos
Former Broncos defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator Joe Woods could persuade his new team into looking at some of his ex players. Now the 49ers’ pass-game coordinator, Woods oversaw some tremendous seasons from Stewart in the Mile High city. Back in 2016, the 30-year-old Stewart earned his first Pro Bowl appearance under Woods. He’d represent a nice stopgap option at safety and likely battle Ward for the starting job.
Nick Perry, EDGE, Green Bay Packers
Recently released by the Packers, Perry has experience playing with his hands up at the linebacker position. He’d pretty much be a nice short-term and relatively cheap fix for the SAM backer position. Given San Francisco doesn’t seem likely to exhaust a lot of cash at this position, Perry makes sense.
The former first-round pick recorded 30 quarterback hits and 18 sacks in 2016 and 2017 before an injury-plagued 2018 season saw him miss nine games due to a knee ailment. He’s likely looking at a one-year, prove-it deal.
Shane Ray, EDGE, Denver Broncos
The Joe Woods connection is alive once again here. He was a top Broncos assistant when they selected Ray in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Ray went on to put up 12 sacks over his first two seasons before falling out of favor due to injuries and inconsistent on-field play over the past two campaigns.
Still only 25 years old, Ray offers a decent amount of upside. He also hasn’t found a real market — a clear indication that the former Missouri standout could take a one-year deal. Whether he’s a fit at SAM remains to be seen.
Jermaine Gresham, Tight End, Arizona Cardinals
Even with Garrett Celek likely returning for another season in San Francisco, the team could use a long-term backup behind Pro Bowler George Kittle. Unfortunately, that’s unlikely to be a priority in a draft that sees the 49ers with only six selections. A nine-year veteran, Gresham has a track record of success with two Pro Bowl selections.
Jared Veldheer, Offensive Tackle, Denver Broncos
Having been a full-time starter throughout his nine-year career, it might be time for the 31-year-old Veldheer to take a top backup role. Reality tells us that the market for his services as a starter just isn’t there. With experience playing both tackle and guard, he’d bee a nice depth option for San Francisco.
Glover Quin, Free Safety, Detroit Lions
If San Franciso decides to pass on a young safety in the draft, the team would then be in the market for someone to push the likes of Jimmie Ward and Adrian Colbert. Quin, 33, has regressed since a Pro Bowl performance back in 2014. It led to his exile from Detroit after six seasons. He’s certainly a veteran depth option for the 49ers.
Jermey Parnell, Offensive Tackle, Jacksonville Jaguars
Realistically, the 49ers would like to add a veteran offensive lineman that can play both tackle and guard. Parnell is not that man. All 64 of his career starts, including 57 over the past four seasons in Jacksonville, have come at tackle. Parnell might also be looking to start. But if the market plays out correctly, he could be a solid fit as the 49ers’ top backup at both left and right tackle.
49ers Free Agent Moves
* Dee Ford: Signed to five-year, $85.5 million deal after trade from the Kansas City Chiefs.
* Kwon Alexander: Signed to four-year, $54 million deal from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
* Raheem Mostert: Re-signed to a three-year, $8.7 million deal.
* Tevin Coleman: Signed to a two-year, $8.5 million deal from the Atlanta Falcons.
* Michael Person: Re-signed to a three-year, $8.25 million deal.
* Robbie Gould: Had $4.97 million franchise tag placed on him.
* Mark Nzeocha: Re-signed to a three-year, $4.75 million deal.
* Jimmie Ward: Re-signed to a one-year, $4.5 million deal.
* Jason Verrett: Signed to a one-year, $3 million deal from the Los Angeles Chargers.
* David Mayo: Signed to a two-year, $2.5 million deal from the Carolina Panthers.
* Jordan Matthews: Signed to a one-year, $1.8 million deal from the Philadelphia Eagles.
* Antone Exum: Re-signed to a one-year, $855,000 deal.
* Elijah Lee: Re-signed to a one-year, $645,000 deal.
