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NFL Free Agency: 10 Under-the-Radar Players the 49ers Should Sign

By Peter Panacy

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Justin Hunter (17) jumps in the stands after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Justin Hunter (17) jumps in the stands after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Francisco 49ers won’t have to worry about cap space in 2017, which makes it possible to bring aboard a large crop of NFL free agents. But instead of the big deals, let’s look at some lesser-known free agents the Niners should target this offseason.

October 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Shepard (89) scores a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Shepard (89) scores a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rashard Robinson (33) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

We all know the story with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. They have a tremendously bad roster but a great deal of salary cap space and a good number of NFL Draft picks to make some upgrades.

Let’s focus on the former for a moment.

According to Over the Cap, the Niners should be close to $82 million in total cap space — combined with the 2016 rollover — to hit free agency this offseason.

That’s a lot, even in today’s ever-rising NFL-contract standards.

One might easily be attracted to the idea of going out and luring in the beset free agents on the market. Yes, San Francisco could go ahead and do this. And perhaps they will, even if it means overpaying a few players.

Still, going after top-tier guys who have just finished contract years isn’t always the best idea. Instead, the lesser-known transactions can be just as effective. Remember former 49ers linebacker Dan Skuta? Hardly anyone heard of the former special teamer before he came to San Francisco in 2013.

And he turned out to be a solid addition for two years.

Let’s think along those lines — the under-the-radar types who can help turn things around in San Francisco.

Here are 10 of them.