49ers: 5 offensive linemen San Francisco should target in 2018
By Joseph Naki
Andrew Norwell, Guard, Carolina Panthers
With the recent re-signing of free-agent center Daniel Kilgore, it looks as though John Lynch is putting together a plan of addressing his offensive linemen needs without delay and in a hurry.
Kilgore’s signature is mission critical, in terms of locking up a veteran wanting to be in scarlet and gold, but more importantly, giving Lynch a stopgap scenario where he is able to maximize his options by possibly securing a center in the later rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft.
San Francisco 49ers
So what next for Lynch?
Free-agent guard Andrew Norwell would fit nicely in San Francisco. At Niner Noise, we have touted Norwell as the best free-agent lineman on the market and its not close. Who could blame us for wanting a stud to protect Jimmy G?
Intuitively, the Carolina Panthers may not allow Norwell to embark in free agency, but maybe stick the franchise tag on him instead. Not sure what Carolina will do at this point regarding an extension for Norwell, so his future is uncertain to put it mildly.
In 2017, The Cleveland Browns forked out a five-year deal worth $60 million dollars to Kevin Zeitler. The second best guard in the league, Zeitler’s contract made him the top paid guard in the NFL surpassing Oakland Raiders guard Kelechi Osemele, who pocketed a hefty $58 million dollar contract in 2016.
Norwell, who established himself as the No. 3 guard in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus, will no doubt command a healthy salary commensurate to his talents.
Should Norwell hit the free-agent market, all eyes will turn to an all-out bidding war for his services. And with the 49ers’ cap space close to $75 million on hand, they’ll be a fighting force in the competition.
The question would be whether Lynch takes a more prudent approach by passing on Norwell and a costly contract. Or does he choose to go “banana crazy” and spend a ridiculous amount of money to lock up one of the best guards in the league
We will see.