Niner Noise
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10 Available Free Agents Who Could Still Help the San Francisco 49ers in 2016

By Peter Panacy

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Sep 25, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; New York Giants tackle Will Beatty (65) and tackle Troy Kropog (70) line up against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; New York Giants tackle Will Beatty (65) and tackle Troy Kropog (70) line up against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: Offensive Tackle Will Beatty

Second-year tackle Trent Brown is the favorite to land the starting gig along the right side in 2016. But he’ll receive competition from veteran offensive lineman Erik Pears and rookies Fahn Cooper and John Theus.

While Brown is promising, none of the aforementioned players inspire true confidence at a position which was wholly terrible for San Francisco last year.

So 31-year-old free-agent tackle Will Beatty might be a good addition to, at least, provide some realistic competition at this position if not a shoo-in candidate to start right away in 2016.

Beatty posted strong numbers in 2014, according to Pete Damilatis of Pro Football Focus:

But with the New York Giants trying to create some cap space, Beatty simply didn’t fit into their plans.

The Niners have the cap space. And Beatty could easily be an upgrade here.

Why He Could Help

Brown was reported to be out of shape to start San Francisco’s OTA sessions, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. And the remaining options for right tackle don’t look that good at this point.

Beatty would be shifting from the left to right side if he wins out. Even if he doesn’t, Beatty is a solid candidate to be a swing tackle — a clear upgrade over Pears, who may likely occupy this role in 2016.

Next: Offensive Guard Amini Silatolu