NFL Free Agency: 2016 Primer for San Francisco 49ers

Jan 15, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke during a press conference to introduce Jim Tomsula as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke during a press conference to introduce Jim Tomsula as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke during a press conference to introduce Jim Tomsula as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke during a press conference to introduce Jim Tomsula as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Trent Baalke’s Free Agency History

49ers general manager Trent Baalke is well-known as a willing trader throughout the draft. He comes from the camp that believes that stockpiling picks is more beneficial than making major moves throughout free agency.

Picks are the ultimate currency in the NFL. They represent young and cheap players that have an opportunity to grow into dominant stars. The draft is a practice in educated guesses and probability. The more guesses a team has, the higher the chance of drafting a future superstar.

Baalke plays the draft. That’s a wonderful strategy. But building a team is a multi-part process. Excelling as a draft manager is great, but the team needs a front office that does more.

Primarily, Baalke’s moves in free agency come later than star signings and are marked by veteran players coming in on low salaries to compete. When they hit, Baalke looks like a genius. When they fail, the team can release the players with little to no consequences.

If you need evidence of this strategy, look no further than the signings of former 49ers cornerbacks Carlos Rogers and Shareece Wright.

When Rogers was signed, the report on him was that he was a high draft pick that failed to live up to the spot he was drafted at. Along with that, fans continually heard about Rogers’ inability to catch a football and create turnovers. As it turned out, Rogers had a productive career over three seasons with the 49ers and managed nine interceptions despite the concerns over his hands.

Wright was a similar signing. He joined the 49ers in March and appeared destined to battle as a starter. The design of the contract gave fans reason to pause considering Wright’s unimpressive stats in his previous season as a San Diego Charger. Throughout the preseason, Wright looked less and less productive. He eventually saw his time as a 49er end when he was released in October.

In the case of Rogers, Baalke looked brilliant. The signing of Wright, however frugal it was, didn’t pan out with the same success.

Baalke has, however, made large moves that reinvigorate the fan base. The signing of wide receiver Torrey Smith last year excited fans for what might develop between the receiver and strong-armed quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

The what-could-have-been narrative has been spun more times than most of us ever wanted. Kap finally had a deep threat receiver to air it out and, well, it just wasn’t a successful pairing. Smith may bounce back in 2016 but 33 receptions for 663 receiving yards wasn’t the expectation that most had.

Baalke needs an exciting signing that actually produces on-field results to see his reputation skyrocket back up to where it was before souring over the last couple of seasons.

For an excellent piece that examines all of Baalke’s actions as general manager, check out Bay Area Sports Guy Steve Berman’s recent work.

Fortunately, with plenty of money and a strong free agent class, Baalke has a chance to flip the predictability of his actions and to target some of the biggest names in this year’s class.

Next: 49ers Free Agents