Niner Noise
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Breaking Down San Francisco 49ers’ 2016 Salary Cap Situation

By Bryan Knowles

Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) celebrates after the 49ers recovered an onside kick during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) celebrates after the 49ers recovered an onside kick during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) blocks Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 22, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tackle Joe Staley (74) blocks Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Line

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Free Agents: Alex Boone, Jordan Devey (ERFA)

Joe Staley is the best player the 49ers have on offense, and he’s not going anywhere for a while. The way his current contract is laid out, he’s more or less guaranteed a roster spot through 2018, thanks to the contract extension he signed in the 2014 offseason. He may not quite have earned his Pro Bowl nod this season, but he’s still a very talented player.

Significantly less talented is Erik Pears, who finds himself a potential salary cap casualty. Pears struggled as the starting right tackle—although not as much as free agent, and likely to remain unemployed Jordan Devey did at right guard. While he would be more solid as a reserve swing tackle and backup guard, the more than $2 million that would be saved by letting him loose might be too much to pass up.  At the very least, expect the team to ask him to take a pay cut.

The main free agent issue the 49ers face is Alex Boone. They’ve been dealing with his contract issues since he held out prior to the 2014 season. My guess is that the 49ers will decide to use the money elsewhere, looking for another free agent or a draft choice to replace him.

That being said, the 49ers are going to need to add more players here, and that leads us to the draft and free agency. In an ideal world, Anthony Davis comes back from a one-year retirement to play right tackle at a high level again. That would allow the 49ers to use their resources to bolster the interior of the line. Center needs to be upgraded—whether that’s a fully healthy Daniel Kilgore, a draft choice or a free agent like Ben Jones. While Andrew Tiller looked good at guard, losing Alex Boone would require adding another starting guard, again in the draft or a free agent like Brandon Brooks. Expect to see about half of the 49ers’ early draft picks dedicated to bolstering the offensive line, and at least three faces on the final 53-man roster who are not currently under contract.

Next: Defensive Line