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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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Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers center JC Tretter (73) during the game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers center JC Tretter (73) during the game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: Center JC Tretter

The San Francisco 49ers have had better offensive line play in 2016, but it still has a lot of room to improve. Starting with the center position, the 49ers could use an upgrade.

No better place to look than free-agent center JC Tretter.

Establishing a Need

According to Pro Football Focus, the 49ers in 2015 and 2016 were ranked 27th in offensive line play. LT Joe Staley and RT Trent Brown were effective this past season and will likely be back in the same position.

Guard Zane Beadles turned out to be one of ex-GM Trent Baalke’s best free-agent signings, as his versatility proved vital for the offensive line.

At the center position, C Daniel Kilgore has only started 25 of the last 36 games and injuries have been a concern. Former third-round pick Marcus Martin has been a disappointment and shouldn’t get a run at the starting center job.

Here’s where Tretter comes in, immediately filling a position of need and stabilizing an offensive line that desperately needs continuity.

Why JC Tretter?

On the free-agent market, there are not very many center options. Tretter certainly is an intriguing option, who started in seven games for the Green Bay Packers this past season.

The ex-Green Bay center did have knee surgery this past season, that caused him to miss the last nine games. But the offensive line for the Packers was significantly better with Tretter rather than Corey Linsley, who replaced him.

According to Paul Johnson as LombardiAve.com, Tretter has been oft-injured, but when he’s in the lineup can be a really good offensive lineman. Johnson also goes to add that Tretter probably will get backup money from either the Packers or someone else.

At that price, the San Francisco 49ers should definitely snatch him up. Spotrac values Tretter at $9 million, but with his various injuries, I think that’s realistically closer to $6 million.