Niner Noise
FanSided

5 Under-the-Radar Free Agents 49ers Should Target in 2016

By Jerod Brown

January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers chief executive officer Jed York (left), Chip Kelly (center), and San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke (right) pose for a photo in a press conference after naming Kelly as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers chief executive officer Jed York (left), Chip Kelly (center), and San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke (right) pose for a photo in a press conference after naming Kelly as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Oct 18, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster (73) and tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78) block against Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) at the line of scrimmage during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 25-13. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers guard Ramon Foster (73) and tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78) block against Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) at the line of scrimmage during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 25-13. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Ramon Foster-Offensive Guard

There’s no doubt that the 49ers need a ton of help along the offensive line. The 49ers already have some reinforcements on the way but will need to find others.

Anthony Davis may have guaranteed his comeback but there is no guarantee that guard Alex Boone will be staying, as he is set to hit free agency as well.

As Davis returns, he will be met with competition at the starting right tackle spot from Trent Brown. Brown played at the end of the season and showed promise moving forward as a massive man on the edge for San Francisco.

Fans are counting on 49ers guard Andrew Tiller to continue his success after stepping in for flailing Jordan Devey. Despite the emergence of Tiller and Brown, and the return of Davis, the 49ers will need to build quality depth along their offensive line.

Players like Marcus Martin and Brandon Thomas have been given opportunities and have failed to prove that they are worthy of a roster spot for much longer.

Ramon Foster started all 16 games this season at left guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers and could be an ideal signing for general manager Trent Baalke to make this offseason. Foster is big at 6’5” and 328 pounds and provides a veteran presence along the line that could support the development of young players like Tiller and Brown.

Foster has enjoyed success in Pittsburgh but routinely has his name come up as one that ought to be replaced despite continual success. Foster is 30 years old and will likely be signing one of the last contracts he signs as a professional football player. He may be looking to squeeze every bit of money out of it. The 49ers should give Foster’s agent a call and see if he’d like to come to sunny Santa Clara.

Next: Inside Help