San Francisco 49ers: Possible Cap Casualties in 2016
By Peter Panacy
Tackle Erik Pears
Right tackle Erik Pears wasn’t supposed to be a starter when the 49ers inked him to a two-year deal ahead of the 2015 season. But when starting right tackle Anthony Davis retired, Pears suddenly found himself going from a backup role to a starter.
And the results weren’t exactly pretty.
Pears graded out with a minus-30.7 overall mark, per Pro Football Focus, and was ranked No. 57 out of 76 qualifying players at his position. He also was credited with 10 sacks and 37 quarterback hurries allowed.
That’s pretty bad.
Cutting Pears wouldn’t necessarily be a case in which the 49ers are trying to save money — they’d save just over $2 million in cap space — but rather a move to free up spots on their roster.
Davis may or may not return. And the 49ers may be looking to explore what younger linemen like Andrew Tiller and Trent Brown may do and how they figure into the long-term plans of the organization.
And then there’s the possibility of other free-agent or draft additions this offseason.
Cutting Pears would make a lot of sense here.
Next: DT Glenn Dorsey