San Francisco 49ers offseason review, grades and analysis
By Peter Panacy
Addition by Subtraction — Parting Ways with Former 49ers Players
No one’s job on a 2-14 team should be entirely safe. Not even the best of players.
And as Niner Noise’s own James LeBreton put it, change was necessary here:
Clearing out the roster was going to be a challenging step. It took Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie a couple of years to do this, but the Niners weren’t hindered by lucrative contracts or a bad salary cap situation heading into 2017.
So these changes were going to be considerably easier for San Francisco.
Players Cut/Waived
- WR Torrey Smith
- S Antoine Bethea
- C Marcus Martin
- CB Tramaine Brock
Free-Agent Players Not Re-Signed
- QB Colin Kaepernick
- QB Blaine Gabbert
- WR Rod Streater
- QB Thad Lewis
- QB Christian Ponder
- TE Jim Dray
- OG Andrew Tiller
- OL Andrew Gardner
- DT Glenn Dorsey
- LB Nick Bellore
- LB Gerald Hodges
- CB Chris Davis
- K Phil Dawson
- WR Quinton Patton
- RB Shaun Draughn
- LB Michael Wilhoite
- DB Marcus Cromartie
The biggest free-agent focal point was, of course, not re-signing quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Whether or not one feels Kap is worthy of a job at the NFL isn’t the point of this article. But head coach Kyle Shanahan already noted Kaepernick wasn’t a fit for his system. So the point is essentially moot.
Outside of Kaepernick, the majority of these players would likely be on the fringe of a 53-man roster at best. Only a few would make serious consideration to start elsewhere.
John Lynch added by subtracting here.