Niner Noise
FanSided

5 Blue-Chip Players the 49ers Should Target in NFL Free Agency

By Akash Anavarathan

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for a photo during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan pose for a photo during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) celebrates after making a catch in the game against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Arizona Cardinals 26-23. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) celebrates after making a catch in the game against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the Arizona Cardinals 26-23. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Wide Receiver Kenny Stills

One of Kyle Shanahan’s biggest advantages with the Atlanta Falcons was the number of offensive weapons he had. Although Shanahan came to San Francisco, he won’t be bringing wide receivers Julio Jones or Mohamed Sanu with him.

Establishing a Need

The San Francisco 49ers’ starting wide receiving corps in 2016 included Quinton Patton, Torrey Smith and Jeremy Kerley. Patton and Kerley are pending free agents, though I expect Kerley to be back with the team.

Bruce Ellington was expected to be a serious contributor in 2016, but ended the season on injured reserve. He’ll be back in 2017 for the final year on his rookie contract.

The 49ers are lacking playmakers and will need to spend some of the $79 million in cap space on a wide receiver.

Why Kenny Stills?

There’s no true No. 1 wide receiver on the market, with WR Alshon Jeffrey being the closest. But Jeffrey is coming off of a four-game suspension and an injury-filled tenure in Chicago.

Kenny Stills is in the next tier, but he would immediately become the best wide receiver on the 49ers. At 24 years old, he’s been in the NFL for four seasons and has improved in every phase.

After a down year in 2015 with the Miami Dolphins, Stills saw a resurgence in his career. He caught 42 passes for 726 yards, with a career-high nine touchdowns.

He’s a home-run threat, as he averaged nearly 17.5 yards per catch with a long of 74 yards.

As far as the contract, the Dolphins WR will get a contract worth an average of $6.5 million, according to Spotrac.

He would serve an immediate need and be a long-term contributor the 49ers.