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Franchise Tags Hinder San Francisco 49ers’ Actions in Free Agency

By Peter Panacy

Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Washington defeated Philadelphia 27-22. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Washington defeated Philadelphia 27-22. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Francisco 49ers are expected to be highly active in NFL free agency this offseason. But a number of potential targets wound up being slapped with franchise tags. Let’s take a look at who is off the market and how the Niners may adjust their plans.

The deadline for NFL teams to apply the franchise tag this year is March 1, and we have a solid idea how free agency is going to pan out with a number of key players no longer available or under tag restraints.

All this affects the San Francisco 49ers, who had no need to franchise any player on their own roster.

Yet they certainly were interested in others.

Armed with nearly $80 million in cap space, the Niners are expected to be very active on the free-agent market. But they’ll have to cross a few names off the list.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided a forecast on franchise tag-likely players on Monday:

Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins should draw a bit of interest, as it’s not hard to find 49ers fans/pundits drawn to his services. At the time this article was written, Cousins had yet to be slapped with an exclusive or non-exclusive tag.

If the latter was to happen, the Niners could match the offer and send two first-round draft picks as compensation.

Not a likely move for San Francisco.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Cardinals Place Non-Exclusive Tag on Chandler Jones

Another one of the 49ers’ potential targets, at least according to Niner Noise, was Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Chandler Jones.

But, as ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss reported on Monday, Jones will get the non-exclusive franchise tag for 2017.

Like the aforementioned possibility with Cousins, the Niners would have to match the contractual numbers and offer up two first-round picks. Yes, San Francisco’s pass rush needs all the help it can get. Although it’s still too hard to see new general manager John Lynch going that route.

Other Targets Likely Off the Radar Now

If the 49ers were never going to get their hands on Jones, another likable EDGE would have been Melvin Ingram of the Los Angeles Chargers.

But even he was part of Schefter’s assumption list. So one can cross his name off the list of likely free-agent candidates to San Francisco.

Cornerback Trumaine Johnson is another name, as well as defensive tackle Kawann Short, being tagged by the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers, respectively.

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Johnson could have filled the role of a shutdown corner — someone the Niners have lacked for some time now. Short might have been a nice addition. But with San Francisco signing free-agent nose tackle Earl Mitchell, it’s unlikely Lynch would have made such a move even if Short was made available.

Nevertheless, don’t expect the Niners to go after any non-exclusive player simply because the compensation would be too much.

Next: Free-Agent Wide Receivers Who Might Be in Play for the 49ers

There are still going to be a number of worthwhile free agents available, so look for Lynch to make his upgrades there.