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NFL Free Agency: 5 Realistic Free Agents the San Francisco 49ers Should Target in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Nov 16, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) against the Houston Texans at Paul Brown Stadium. The Texans won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) against the Houston Texans at Paul Brown Stadium. The Texans won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 3, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; New York Giants left guard Geoff Schwartz (74) during the 2014 Hall of Fame game against the Buffalo Bills at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; New York Giants left guard Geoff Schwartz (74) during the 2014 Hall of Fame game against the Buffalo Bills at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive Guard Geoff Schwartz

2015 Statistics

2015 Salary: $3,689,583

The New York Giants released offensive guard Geoff Schwartz earlier this offseason after an injury-plagued 2014 and 2015 campaigns, which will certainly drop Schwartz’s bidding rate in free agency.

One doesn’t have to delve too far into the 49ers’ woes along their offensive line, which will likely continue into 2016 to a certain extent.

There isn’t any guarantee retired right tackle Anthony Davis returns to the squad despite numerous hints on his Twitter account. Regardless, it’s impossible to suggest he’d be in game-ready shape upon any pending return.

And with left guard Alex Boone on the free-agent market this offseason, San Francisco’s concerns here remain magnified.

Schwartz makes a lot of sense considering a nice zone-blocking scheme fit. And the 49ers could work some verbiage into a contract to guard against any injury.

Another free-agent possibility is Cleveland Browns tackle Mitchell Schwartz — brother of Geoff.

Mitchell Schwartz would likely command a heftier salary than his brother, but signing both offensive linemen would be an immediate boost to the 49ers’ O-line, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report.

But if the Niners could have only one of the two, Geoff Schwartz seems like the more plausible option.

Next: ILB Jerrell Freeman