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

The San Francisco 49ers currently have a total of 25 players on their roster who are scheduled to become free agents in 2017. Some may be re-signed and will never hit NFL free agency next season. But others may wind up hitting the market. Niner Noise takes an early look at where the team’s 2017 free-agent group sits right now and tries to predict who stays.

Trying to determine which San Francisco 49ers players, who are scheduled to be free agents in 2017, is a fairly difficult task.

For starters, there is so much that can happen between now and the start of the 2017 NFL free agency period. Games are yet to be played, contracts may still be negotiated, extensions could happen and any combination of these and other factors weigh into the equation.

San Francisco is going through an overhaul of its current roster. Some free agents — out of 25 total — are merely on one-year deals, and these guys might simply be stop-gap options. Others are winding down rookie contracts and will be playing for their next big deal.

Note: OT Fahn Cooper, OG Joshua Garnett and CB Will Redmond are listed as 2017 free agents by Over the Cap. Their rookie contracts will extend beyond 2017, so they won’t be included on the list.

An influx of young talent, paired with the understanding many pending free agents simply didn’t work out in San Francisco, means a good number of these players may be elsewhere next season.

So let’s take a very early look at each free agent upon which the Niners will have to decide between now and 2017. And we’ll even try to predict who stays and who goes.

We’ll break it down into the following groups:

• Exclusive Rights Free Agents
• Restricted Free Agents
• Unrestricted Free Agents — depth/role players
• Unrestricted Free Agents — prominent players

The last group is a bit tricky, as one could argue some backups have been, or will be, featured in prominent roles. We’ll spend a little more time on this particular group.

So gear up, bear down and get ready for a first-take assessment on the 49ers 2017 free-agent list.

Next: Exclusive Rights Free Agents

Exclusive Rights Free Agents

49ers ERFA Players

• OG Andrew Tiller
• CB Marcus Cromartie
• DT Mike Purcell
• TE Je’Ron Hamm
• LB Shayne Skov

In a nutshell, exclusive rights free agents (ERFAs) are basically controlled by the team with which they signed. Typically, these players are undrafted free agents and have no more than two accrued years at the NFL level. ERFAs can only negotiate contracts with the team that signed them.

Over the Cap broke down the basics:

"I’m not even sure why these players are called free. These are the players with 2 or less seasons in the league, a status reserved almost solely for undrafted rookie type players. Once tendered they can only negotiate with their former team. The tender offer is only a one year non-guaranteed contract at the minimum salary level so most teams would use the ERFA designation on players who were on the roster late in the prior year and signed to a 1 year deal. Usually these offers are signed as soon as they are made since nothing is gained by waiting."

Offensive guard Andrew Tiller, who started seven games with the 49ers last season, and nose tackle Mike Purcell are the most notable names on this list.

Tiller will be competing for a starting-guard spot with fellow linemen Zane Beadles and Joshua Garnett. At worst, Tiller is an amicable backup and probably has the edge over fellow guards Marcus Martin and Brandon Thomas. Tiller should be able to stay.

Purcell is also a solid backup option, and one for which the Niners may have use depending on projected-starting nose tackle Ian Williams’ (ankle) status for the start of 2016.

Considering the rest have, essentially, zero negotiating rights outside of the 49ers right now, the remaining cast likely winds up being retained either for depth or spots on the practice squad.

Who knows? Maybe linebacker Shayne Skov emerges as the dark-horse candidate to start alongside fellow inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman this season.

Note: Spotrac.com lists only Skov and tight end Je’Ron Hamm as ERFA players, so there may be a bit of confusion here if you’re doing in-depth research.

Next: Restricted Free Agents

Restricted Free Agents

49ers RFA Players

• CB Chris Davis
• S L.J. McCray

Restricted free agents (RFAs) have a little more flexibility than ERFA players, but the sizable majority of their future is still controlled by the team.

Typically, RFAs have a little more pro-level experience and a bit more negotiating power with other clubs. But the initial team is able to match any other offer or, in some cases, will receive draft-pick compensation in return.

Over the Cap tells us more:

"Because of the draft pick compensation it is rare that a RFA signs with another team. Teams have the ability to name as many RFAs as they want and RFAs only have about a month to find a new team. Once that period passes they can only sign a deal with their old team. If they fail to sign by June 15 they may be in a position to see their salary offer reduced while the team still maintains exclusive rights."

San Francisco currently has only two RFAs, per OTC — cornerback Chris Davis and safety L.J. McCray.

Out of the two, McCray has the best shot to stay in San Francisco. At least for the long run. Despite missing eight games last season due to injury, the former Catawba standout is one of the better special teams aces on the Niners roster.

Figure for McCray to have a bona fide role on the team in 2016.

The same can’t be said of Davis though. With the 49ers adding three rookie corners via the 2016 NFL Draft, Davis’ future doesn’t look too good. He could still be stashed over the course of the season, but anything beyond 2017 is anyone’s guess.

Next: Unrestricted Free Agents -- Role/Depth Players

Unrestricted Free Agents — Role & Depth Players

This one gets a little trickier. First, let’s establish what constitutes a depth/role player. To qualify, the player may not have been listed as a starter for three or more games during the 2015 season. Additionally, any such player shouldn’t have been considered a bona fide contributor in oft-featured packages or schemes.

When in doubt, just trust our judgment here.

49ers UFA Role/Depth Players

• DE/EDGE Tank Carradine
• LB Nick Bellore
• RB DuJuan Harris
• WR Jerome Simpson
• LB Corey Lemonier
• LB Ray-Ray Armstrong
• DE Tony Jerod-Eddie
• QB Thad Lewis

Players like defensive end/edge-rusher Tank Carradine and linebacker Corey Lemonier may wind up being extended at some point with the Niners picking up fifth-year options.

San Francisco appears to be holding out hope for Carradine, who has largely disappointed since being drafted in Round 2 of the 2013 draft. Asking him to drop weight for 2016, the 49ers hope Carradine will fill a specific pass-rushing role in sub packages.

The same can’t exactly be said of Lemonier, who has seen his stock fall since being drafted in Round 3 of the same year. Lemonier was fourth out of four outside linebacker spots on the depth chart last season, and he doesn’t look to be a favorite to overtake second-year pro Eli Harold anytime soon.

Lemonier won’t be re-signed in all likelihood.

Running back DuJuan Harris, who was picked up at the tail end of 2015, has a long way to go to make the 53-man roster. The chance is good, but so is the competition. Yet wide receiver Jerome Simpson may not even make the roster, given the 49ers’ youth movement at the position.

At any rate, don’t expect either player to be back in San Francisco in 2017.

The rest of the cast will have to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, they belong with the 49ers for an extended period of time. The best player to assume this may be defensive lineman Tony Jerod-Eddie, although recent draft additions to the D-line could negate the need.

And no, quarterback Thad Lewis won’t be on the 53-man roster this season.

Next: Unrestricted Free Agents -- Ian Williams

Nose Tackle Ian Williams

OK, now for the more-prominent players on the 49ers roster. Let’s start with nose tackle Ian Williams, who was San Francisco’s highest-graded player (plus-24.4) according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required) last season.

Williams was initially signed to a long-term extension after his first fully healthy year at the pro level in 2015. But a failed physical, following ankle procedures, forced the Niners to rework his contract to a one-year deal.

Nearly all of Williams’ future in San Francisco will revolve around his health. With Week 1 still in doubt, the 49ers will look to other players — defensive linemen Quinton Dial or Tony Jerod-Eddie — to plug the gap in Williams’ stead.

But there isn’t any denying Williams’ ability to stuff the run. When healthy, he’s one of the better D-linemen on San Francisco’s roster.

When healthy.

2016 may not get off to a good start for the 26-year-old veteran. But let’s bank on a consecutive strong effort and suggest he’ll be back with the Niners on another extension.

Next: Unrestricted Free Agents -- Phil Dawson

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

30

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

Defensive Tackle Glenn Dorsey

Additions of rookie defensive linemen DeForest Buckner and Ronald Blair via the NFL Draft this year may easily push veteran defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey out of the picture.

The thing with Dorsey, though, is he’s injured and recovering from an ACL tear suffered at the midway point of 2015. Like fellow defensive tackle Ian Williams, Dorsey’s status for the start of this season is in doubt.

If that’s the case, and anything regarding ACLs suggests it will be, Dorsey won’t be ready anytime soon. This means the Niners will likely stash the 30-year-old former first-round pick on the injured-reserve/designated-to-return list to start the year.

That’s not a terrible insurance policy to have. But Dorsey’s injury concerns aren’t anything new. He missed all but four games with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012 and missed San Francisco’s entire 2014 campaign altogether.

Injury worries, age and a growing depth along the D-line likely push Dorsey out of the picture in 2017.

Next: Unrestricted Free Agents -- Quinton Patton

Wide Receiver Quinton Patton

Every year seems to be the season in which wide receiver Quinton Patton is poised to break out. And each campaign winds up being more of a “what could have been” effort.

Patton came into the league in 2013 with a ton of promise and a hope he could contribute right away. But injuries and being pushed down the depth chart limited him to a great extent prior to 2015.

And even last year’s campaign was marginal at best.

For every eye-popping play Patton makes, it seems as if there’s an equally perplexing one. You’ll see this following clip a lot on Niner Noise, but it makes the point pretty clear:

On one hand, Patton hasn’t quite seen enough of the field to adequately prove himself. And head coach Chip Kelly could be the guy who maximizes Patton’s efficiency and potential. But on the other hand, San Francisco has a number of younger up-and-coming receivers vying for playing time as well.

Keep an eye on wideouts like DeAndre Smelter and rookie Aaron Burbridge. Heck, even former CFL standout Eric Rogers is in the mix.

Patton won’t likely be going anywhere this season. But he’ll be playing for an option in 2017. It’s a 50-50 guess whether or not Patton will be around next year though.

Next: Unrestricted Free Agents -- Gerald Hodges

Linebacker Gerald Hodges

Like wide receiver Quinton Patton, linebacker Gerald Hodges will be vying for playing time at a position which, on the surface, looks totally open.

San Francisco wants to find a best-case option to start alongside perennial All-Pro NaVorro Bowman. Fellow linebacker Michael Wilhoite — also on this list — occupied that spot for most of last year and not with the best of results.

But Hodges, who was picked up midseason in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings, ended up starting the final four games of 2015.

Wilhoite, Hodges and fellow linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong are now in the mix for the starting ILB spot alongside Bowman, according to 49ers defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil (h/t Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area).

Depending on this camp battle, and whoever wins out, Hodges could wind up being retained by San Francisco into 2017 and, possibly, beyond. Hodges is only 25 years old, and some believe him to be a substantial upgrade over Wilhoite.

Look for him to be extended.

Next: Unrestricted Free Agents -- Vance McDonald

Tight End Vance McDonald

Tight end Vance McDonald is another one of those 2013 49ers draft picks which haven’t exactly worked out at the NFL level.

While McDonald’s blocking abilities are good enough, his hands have left much to be desired. As a result, McDonald never became the heir apparent to current Washington Redskins tight end Vernon Davis.

And who can forget this:

Yes, McDonald had a few moments last year, which included his first three regular-season touchdowns at the NFL level. And head coach Chip Kelly may be able to turn around McDonald’s game.

He’ll have some competition though, including fellow tight ends Garrett Celek, Blake Bell, Busta Anderson and, perhaps, rookie Devon Cajuste.

So 2016 will likely be a make-or-break year for McDonald. Based on what we’ve seen so far out of his pro career, it doesn’t look likely the 49ers will retain him in 2017.

Next: Unrestricted Free Agents -- Michael Wilhoite

Linebacker Michael Wilhoite

Linebacker Michael Wilhoite is a perfect example for all you contractual junkies in understanding how RFAs work and how they can be extended and/or transitioned to UFA status.

Wilhoite was the 49ers’ perennial RFA over the past couple of seasons, but the Niners offered him a one-year, $1.671 million deal in 2016. He’ll be a UFA in 2017.

We’ve already covered the situation at inside linebacker, and how Wilhoite will be competing for a starting spot with fellow linebackers Gerald Hodges and Ray-Ray Armstrong. Wilhoite might have been the favorite a year ago — he assumed these duties in Week 1, after all — but a less-than stellar 2015 season opens up plenty of doubt.

Yes, Wilhoite finished the year ranked second on the team in tackles (62). But Pro Football Focus gave him a whopping minus-16.5 overall grade in 2015.

At this point, it’s unlikely the 49ers are viewing Wilhoite as a long-term option. As a backup, Wilhoite may be serviceable as he once was in the days of standout linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis.

But as a starter, no.

Let’s see how this position battle plays out, but the chances for Wilhoite to remain in San Francisco beyond 2016 don’t look good.

Next: Unrestricted Free Agents -- Erik Pears

Tackle/Guard Erik Pears

Veteran offensive lineman Erik Pears may be the biggest name carrying over from 2015 that 49ers fans don’t want to see on the field this season.

After all, Pears finished last year’s campaign with a minus-30.7 overall PFF grade and was responsible for 10 sacks and 37 quarterback pressures.

At 33 years old, Pears isn’t anything close to a long-term option. And he wasn’t even when the Niners signed him in advance of 2015. Remember, he was supposed to be a swing tackle to back up then-projected starters Joe Staley and Anthony Davis. But Davis retired, and Pears was thrust into a starting role.

OK, so those results weren’t pretty. And the general hope is second-year pro Trent Brown — or even rookies Fahn Cooper or John Theus — earn the starting nod this season.

For what it’s worth, Pears is still getting first-team reps during the 49ers OTA sessions:

Pears should be on the roster in 2016. His ability to play both tackle positions, as well as inside at guard, make him a more valuable commodity than others.

Beyond that, though, Pears shouldn’t expect any sort of extension from San Francisco.

Next: Unrestricted Free Agents -- Blaine Gabbert

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert

The 49ers quarterbacking situation in 2016 is going to be very interesting, and that’s putting it lightly.

San Francisco has two NFL-caliber starters on its roster — Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert.

Kaepernick may be on the hot seat entering this season, but Gabbert is also playing for his NFL future, which has zero guarantees beyond this year.

It’s hard to state whether Kap or Gabbert would be an ideal fit in head coach Chip Kelly’s offense. Perhaps neither is. At the same time, Kelly has made seemingly unnoticed (Nick Foles) or underachieving (Sam Bradford) quarterbacks into something useful before.

So can Gabbert build on his relative success experienced with the Niners a year ago after he took over for Kaepernick in Week 9?

If there’s one thing clear, Gabbert isn’t a long-term solution under center for the 49ers. And unless he somehow makes himself invaluable to the Niners offense, there won’t be any reason to assume he’s under contract in San Francisco in 2017.

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So there you have it — an early look at the 49ers’ current list of free agents as it stands now.

Yes, this will change in coming months. Players may be cut, extended, re-signed or who knows what. Such is the nature of the NFL.

Next: Expectations for 49ers Best 5 Players in 2016

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated. Contractual information courtesy of Over the Cap.