49ers: An Early Look at 2017 San Francisco Free Agents

San Francisco 49ers: An Early Look at the Team’s 2017 Free Agents

Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert looks over the defense against the St. Louis Rams in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Rams 19-16 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

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July 24, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers kicker Phil Dawson (9) stretches during training camp at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Kicker Phil Dawson

Can 41-year-old seemingly ageless veteran kicker Phil Dawson manage to keep contributing to the 49ers offense and special teams in 2016?

Based on last year’s numbers, yes. After all, Dawson converted 24 of 27 field goals (88.9 percent) and missed just one extra-point try a year ago.

But age is a factor. And Dawson’s $3.134 million one-year contract is a lot of money for a specialist on the wrong side of

40 years old.

Dawson could even be a cut candidate this season, especially after the 49ers signed undrafted free agent kicker John Lunsford out of Liberty following the 2016 NFL Draft. Remember how the Niners replaced veteran punter Andy Lee with then-rookie Bradley Pinion last year?

The same could happen here. Or Lunsford could merely be a camp body. We won’t know for a while.

At any rate, don’t look for Dawson to stick around with the 49ers beyond this season.

Next: Unrestricted Free Agents -- Glenn Dorsey