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2016 Offseason: 5 Best-Case Scenarios for the San Francisco 49ers

By Peter Panacy

What might Chip Kelly and Trent Baalke cook up in free agency? Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
What might Chip Kelly and Trent Baalke cook up in free agency? Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Re-signing WR Anquan Boldin and NT Ian Williams

One of the first orders of business will be for the 49ers to address some of their own free agents. NFL free agency officially kicks off on March 9 — for a breakdown on important Niners dates, click here — and the 49ers may be looking to retain a number of their own pending free agents.

Veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin and 26-year-old nose tackle Ian Williams are among the top free agents San Francisco has entering this offseason. So is left guard Alex Boone.

Boone will be one of the more highly coveted free agents this offseason, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him walk.

But Boldin and Williams are much more regarded as free-agent re-sign priorities. While Boldin, at 35 years old, may not be the receiver he once was, there isn’t any way to discount his locker room presence and leadership capability.

Aside from fellow wideout Torrey Smith, San Francisco’s receiver corps doesn’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence.

Unless one is banking on injured wideout DeAndre Smelter making a huge impact after being redshirted in 2015.

Boldin can help bridge a gap. That’s what the 49ers will want him to do — both on the field and within the locker room.

Aug 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Williams is a much more necessary piece to ensure San Francisco’s defense retains some building blocks. He was the Niners’ top-ranked defender last season, according to Pro Football Focus, with a plus-24.4 overall grade.

Williams enjoyed his first full bill of health in 2015 and started all 16 regular-season games. He’ll receive a substantial raise from his $1.546 million salary mark last year, but San Francisco can afford it.

And then let the building around him begin.

Next: Landing 3 Impact Free Agents