It’s an exciting time in the world of the National Football League as the league’s “legal tampering period” is here. Free agents are offficially able to sign Wednesday when the new league year begins. Owners are busy breaking out their checkbooks while front offices are meeting with free agent targets across the league. The rumors, trades and meetings set up a wild couple days at the start of football’s version of the “hot stove.”
Despite their losing record over the past few season the 49ers have the essence of a team that's on the edge of contending for a playoff berth. Addinge fuel to the excitment, this is the most important offseason of the Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch tandem. For the first time in their 49er career’s there is some pressure. With more strikes than hits in free agency through their first few offseasons it’s important for Lynch and Shanahan to find some talent.
Before we get to the names the 49ers should be targeting, one quick warning. Don’t be the team to “win the offseason.” Wins in March mean nothing this early. Identifying talent is a good thing, but be cautious when it comes to spending big money. Free agency is a time to address easy band-aid needs, but the draft is where you find your team's core talent.
Earl Thomas, Safety, 30 (Seattle)
A lot of big names have been linked to the 49ers over the past few season, but none are as skilled and fill a need like Earl Thomas. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room before we move on to how Thomas could help the 49ers. Thomas is coming off a gruesome injury amidst a nasty breakup from the team that drafted him. Yes, that’s all bad, but Thomas is a generational defensive player with a canton bound resume. The 49ers shouldn’t only pursue Thomas because of his past, but his specific skill set is something the 49ers desperately need.
Thomas can play a true single high deep safety, something the 49ers don’t really have, but need in Robert Saleh’s defense. The 49ers also need a ballhawk back deep, and Thomas is one of the best in the league. The 49ers have generated very few interceptions during the Saleh era while Thomas has had 12 picks since 2015. Thomas had more interceptions in four games last year than the 49ers (2) had all season. Thomas's speed and instincts back deep would help cover the 49ers corners mistakes. Thomas is familiar with Saleh’s system and can help teach young safeties Adrian Colbert and Marcell Harris. Thomas’s ability to make up ground as a center fielder would also allow Harris to play downhill in the box.
Lastly, but most importantly, Thomas would have the chance to play the team he gave the bird too twice a season in revenge games.
Preston Smith, Edge Rusher, 26 (Washington)
Not Trey Flowers, Not Ziggy Ansah, but Preston Smith is the edge rusher the 49ers should tap in free agency. While a veteran like Justin Houston could be valuable, Smith has the most upside in the edge rusher free agent group. Smith is only 26 years old and has had a fairly productive career in Washington. Smith has racked up 12 sacks over the past two seasons and garnered 53 quarterback pressures last year. The sentiment surrounding Smith is he hasn’t reached his full potential-- maybe a change of scenery can do that for him. He’s extremely athletic and possesses several traits you want in an edge rusher. Smith’s lack of starpower will probably make him more affordable than guys like Flowers or even Houston.
Smith’s age makes him more than a quick filler at edge, If the 49ers draft an edge at two, and if Smith can turn the corner and tap his full potential you have two legit young pass rushers under control for the future.
Bryce Callahan, Cornerback, 27
The 49ers need to bolster their secondary if they want to hang with the Los Angeles Rams. They have a very young group at corner outside of Sherman and need to add some depth. While DJ Reed and Ahkello Witherspoon have some traits, they’ve failed to be consistent. The draft class is weak at cornerback, so the 49ers need to spend some money on adding to the backend of their defense. Callahan is a nasty slot corner who grades out very high on the Pro Football Focus scale. With teams trending towards spreading defenses out with 11-personnel and creating mismatches, the nickel corner position is more important than ever. In a division with Tyler Lockett, Cooper Kupp and Larry Fitzgerald it would be wise for the 49ers to invest in a solid slot corner.
Adam Humphries, Wide Receiver, 26
Adam Humphries might be the best receiver available in free agency and that’s saying a lot about the market. Humphries played a safety blanket role for Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jameis Winston in his career at Tampa, and could provide that sense of stability for Jimmy Garoppolo. We know how successful Garoppolo is underneath and that’s where Humphries excels. Humphries could provide some depth in the slot position which is becoming ever important in the modern NFL.
Another 30-year old Seahawks outcast could be on the 49ers free agent wish list in K.J. Wright. The 49ers linebacking core desperately needs experience which is something Wright has. Wright could provide a veteran presence next to Fred Warner and Elijah Lee. Wright’s play has been slipping over the past few season and his injury riddled 2018 didn’t do him any favors, but that could make him fairly cheap for the 49ers. He could want to relink with Richard Sherman, Saleh and maybe Thomas. Wright’s skills aren’t completely gone as he is still one of the most sure handed tacklers in the league. Wright could work with Saleh and Warner to help mold the 49ers linebacking room.
Thomas Davis, LB, 36 (Carolina)
Thomas Davis is getting up their in age, but is widely regarded as one of the best leaders in the NFL. Davis could provide some depth and experience to a very young linebacking core. Davis would provide an elite burst to the 49ers locker room that very few could, and after getting let go by Carolina, Davis could have a chip on his shoulder.
Jason Verrett, CB, 27 (LA Chargers)
Only playing one game in the last two seasons, but when Jason Verrett is on the field he’s an elite corner. It wouldn’t surprise me if Verrett’s market is bigger than people may think, but he could be willing to come back to the North Bay where he played juco football at Santa Rosa Junior College. It could be a good opportunity for Verrett to get his career back on track while being mentored by Sherman.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, 26 (Jacksonville)