NFL Free Agency: 2016 Primer for San Francisco 49ers

Predicting the 49ers Best Approach to Free Agency

The 49ers have the flexibility that other teams covet. They have a stockpile of draft picks, a ton of money and a roster that could use upgrades throughout. Just about anything they do will be seen as a positive move.

We’ve discussed cap space, Baalke’s tendencies, 49er free agents and free agents throughout the league. So, what would be the best approach for the 49ers? I’m glad you asked!

The 49ers shouldn’t look into signing Wilkerson from the Jets. They should relax on Miller now and not even get their hopes up. The Broncos will slap the franchise tag on him. He’s too good for them to let go. Bruce Irvin might be in play, but he’ll be interested in getting more money than he’s worth. The 49ers shouldn’t be the team to pay him.

No, the 49ers should ride with who they have now on defense. The starters are growing together. There’s no need to introduce new players. Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch is becoming a dominant edge player. With more time, he’ll be worth every penny. Eli Harold was just drafted. Let’s give the young man some time before we call it quits on him. The defense is fine.

Well, almost.

Trent Baalke, are you listening? What I’m about to say may be the most important thing someone tells you all offseason. Back the truck up for Ian Williams. He deserves it based on his play. In addition to his play, he’s becoming a de-facto leader of this defense. And you need that with a new head coach that isn’t exactly a defensive guru. Keep guys like Williams around. It’ll save your job.

Okay, Trent, you’re dismissed.

The 49ers should be highly interested in spending on offense.

Re-sign Anquan Boldin. He’s the Walter Payton Man of the Year. Sign him if for no other reason than the fact that he’ll mentor young men into complete players on and off the field. The 49ers have a damaged image. Boldin sticking around helps.

It’s imperative that Baalke gets a couple of guards. They need one in free agency and one in the draft. The money is there. So, put it on the table for one of the best. The top two guards to target would be Denver Bronco Evan Mathis or Baltimore Raven Kelechi Osemele. Plug either guy in on the left or right.

In the first three rounds of the draft, the 49ers should get another guard to compete with Andrew Tiller for the other starting spot. Cody Whitehair is the top interior offensive lineman in the draft. It’s not really close. The 49ers would likely have to trade back into the end of Round 1 if they are interested in Whitehair. Baakle may balk at that type of move with other needs on the roster.

Christian Westerman will be available in the third or fourth round. He’s from Arizona State and, more importantly, he’s been working with former NFL-player LeCharles Bentley. Bentley, who owns O-Line Performance, is one of the top trainers and general offensive line masters in today’s coaching climate. Westerman is learning from the best. You know who has also trained with Bentley? Alex Boone. Swap out Boone and replace him with a training mate.

Lastly, the 49ers need to go get as many playmakers as they can. Load them up on offense. Head coach Chip Kelly will certainly use them. Bring in a ton of shiny new toys and let the best players compete against one another for playing time every week. The 49ers will likely need five solid receivers in Kelly’s system. As of now, before free agency, they have one proven player in receiver Torrey Smith. They’ll need more and they’ll need them quickly.

Next: Post-Super Bowl Mock Draft

Will any of this happen? Probably. Will it all? No way. And certainly not with the confidence with which we so eloquently stated. But, the beauty of this free agency period is that the 49ers can make this happen. It’s a position unfamiliar to most within the organization. Not only is there a need, but the 49ers have the money and resources to create a strategy of any type and execute it.

The 49ers enter the offseason in a position to rebuild the roster specifically to run Kelly’s offensive schemes. They have the money, flexibility and player options in free agency that are some of the best in years. Besides that, they’ve got picks galore in the upcoming draft and can use them as currency throughout the league. They are in an enviable position.

Which makes it worse if Baalke blows it. He may never get another do-over. This could be his last season leading the front office of this team. With all of the resources in his pocket, he should be excited for a chance to reassert himself as one of the best in the league.

The 49ers need him to. The front office doesn’t exactly sit in the good graces of fans currently. Sure, the Faithful are excited about a coach that appears more competent than the last. But, they also watched as said coach was ran out of his previous job. Call it careful optimism.

Free agency will be the 49ers first attempt at making some headway in the public relations department. If they knock it out of the park, it can carry the organization into August with some momentum. We know what a demoralizing offseason can do to a team. We just sat through it.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and ESPN Statistics unless otherwise indicated.