5 moves the 49ers need to make this 2018 offseason
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Land Offensive Guard Andrew Norwell in Free Agency
San Francisco can arguably splurge on one, perhaps two big-name free agents this offseason.
And one of those should be Carolina Panthers left guard Andrew Norwell.
Norwell, previously an undrafted free agent, finished his 2017 being named a first-team All-Pro. And Pro Football Focus gave him an 88.8 overall grade on the season — third best among qualifiers. Better yet, Norwell didn’t allow a single sack or quarterback hit last season, making him the only qualifying guard in the league not to do so over the entirety of last year.
Norwell won’t come cheap. Spotrac.com gives him an average market value of $11.7 million annually.
But remember, the 49ers have more than enough money to spend.
It isn’t as if the need is lacking. Right guard Brandon Fusco is unsigned for 2018, and he might be a better fit in a power-run scheme anyway. Norwell, on the other hand, worked in former Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula’s complex zone-style running offense. There are plenty of similarities.
Signing Norwell would do one of two major things. First, it ensures San Francisco’s biggest asset, Jimmy Garoppolo, is protected. Second, it alleviates major worries about third-year guard Joshua Garnett’s 2017 knee injury and possible fit in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Make the offer, John Lynch.