San Francisco 49ers: A Primer for the 2016 NFL Offseason

Tough Decisions for 49ers Free Agents

San Francisco’s roster will have to endure a plethora of changes this offseason — as is the case with almost every NFL squad — and some of those changes will focus on the players who suited up with the team in 2015.

On a positive note, general manager Trent Baalke will have a considerable amount of cap space with which to work (we’ll get to that shortly). So it’s feasible the 49ers will be able to retain nearly every player they want.

So who are they?

Here’s the list of current pending free agents San Francisco will have to address, courtesy of Over the Cap:

[table id=17 /]

Wide receiver Anquan Boldin isn’t on this list since he has three years of deferred money extending beyond 2015. But he is, technically, a free agent this offseason. Boldin could be brought back in 2016 in order to add insurance in case rookie wideout DeAndre Smelter (NFI) doesn’t pan out.

But the 49ers will have to address three other notable free agents: kicker Phil Dawson, guard Alex Boone and defensive tackle Ian Williams.

Dawson has been an ageless wonder since joining the 49ers in 2013. But will Baalke take the same route as he did a year ago and replace him with a younger option (i.e. punter Bradley Pinion for Andy Lee)?

More pressing is what to do with Boone and Williams.

Boone stated, via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News, he would love to stay in San Francisco but is also “excited” about free agency.

But the veteran offensive lineman will be one of the most sought-after free agents on the market this offseason and will likely have plenty of options from which to choose. An estimated guess would be the 49ers let him walk.

This shouldn’t be the case with Williams as he has been one of San Francisco’s best and most consistent defensive linemen this season.

Expect the 49ers to make Williams their top re-sign priority this offseason.

Next: Splashing in Free Agency