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5 possible cap casualties the 49ers should target in 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Martellus Bennett #88 of the New England Patriots in action against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Martellus Bennett #88 of the New England Patriots in action against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 18: Cornerback Aqib Talib #21 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field during player introductions before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 18: Cornerback Aqib Talib #21 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field during player introductions before a game against the New England Patriots at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 18, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers aren’t in a position where they have to worry about cap space, meaning they can take advantage of some possible cap casualties. Here are five to keep an eye on this offseason.

With $115,411,126 in projected salary cap space, per Over the Cap, the San Francisco 49ers are in a unique position where they can add a substantial amount of talent on the 2018 free-agent market.

Sure, some of this money will be used to extend or re-sign players this upcoming season. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s pending deal has been a hot topic.

But still, general manager John Lynch is going to have, essentially, blank checks to dish out on the open market as he sees fit. And for a rebuilding team trending in the right direction after 2017’s strong finish, free-agent players may view San Francisco as a preferred destination. Especially offensive ones.

While the Niners are laden with plenty of cap space, other teams aren’t exactly in the same situation. This means more players under contract will become available during free agency.

The cap casualties, if you will.

In this article, we’ll explore five potential cap casualties possibly worth targeting from the 49ers’ vantage point. We have no clue whether or not each player’s respective teams will keep them under contract. But we’ve tried to at least establish the criteria of a possible departure.

So, if any of these guys are made available, perhaps Lynch pounces.