49ers could add RB Le’Veon Bell in NFL free agency… but would they?
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers may need to replace running back Carlos Hyde this offseason. With Le’Veon Bell possibly hitting the NFL free agency market, is he realistically a target for head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co.?
Running back is potentially a problem area for the San Francisco 49ers this offseason.
With No. 1 tailback Carlos Hyde unsigned for 2018, head coach Kyle Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner have some tough decisions to make on how to fill this crucial spot.
One name that’s popped up a bit is Pittsburgh Steelers tailback Le’Veon Bell.
San Francisco 49ers
Our own Aaron Tan broke down the plausible addition of Bell to San Francisco’s roster. And Niners Wire’s Chris Biderman hinted at a possible pairing between the Niners and the talented tailback.
Armed with nearly $115 million in salary cap space this offseason, per Over the Cap, it isn’t as if general manager John Lynch has to be picky with bringing in a player of Bell’s caliber.
Could the 49ers lure in Bell? Absolutely.
The question is whether or not they would.
Biderman gives nearly two-thirds odds Hyde doesn’t return in 2018, opening up the door for a top-tier tailback like Bell. And while the Niners have two Shanahan-chosen running backs on their roster — Matt Breida and Joe Williams (redshirted in 2017) — targeting a player like Bell is more of a market situation than anything else.
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Bell, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, turns 26 years old in February. He’s entering the prime of his career, which lends credence to San Francisco targeting him.
According to Spotrac, Bell’s market value is worth approximately $10.6 million. That’s nearly $2 million more than the No. 2 player on OTC’s list of top-paid tailbacks, the Atlanta Falcons’ Devonta Freeman.
So there’s your decision. The Niners would have to decide whether to spend big money on a high-profile free agent instead of looking at other cheaper, younger options in what’s shaping up to be a very deep NFL Draft class.
Runners like Penn State’s Saquon Barkley and LSU’s Derrius Guice probably aren’t on Shanahan’s radar, as he and Turner tend to focus on lesser-known prospects, as illustrated by Fourth and Nine’s Dylan Desimone.
That opens up the door for days two and three players, like Georgia’s Sony Michel and San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny.
Lots of great players for #49ers fans to watch in tonight’s title game. One I’m particularly intrigued by based on potential need, skill set, fit in offense and value is Georgia RB Sony Michel.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) January 9, 2018
The point is this year’s draft class is stocked at running back. Putting that $10.6 million, thereabouts, in Bell’s market value to another need is just as likely a scenario.
If not more likely.
Plus, Shanahan would take advantage of a promising runner, who is much younger and would be on a rookie contract the next four years — something Bell doesn’t possess, obviously.
Sure, Bell would be an immediate-impact player. And there’s nothing wrong with the idea of him landing in San Francisco.
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But would the 49ers go that route? It’s a tough sell.