Niner Noise looks at the top three targets the San Francisco 49ers should consider, now that 2018 NFL free agency landscape has become clearer leading up to the start of the league’s new year.
The San Francisco 49ers, perhaps, are in the best position they’ve seen in years to tackle NFL free agency.
Coming off a five-game win streak to close out 2017, plus a franchise-type quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo, the Niners are no longer a laughingstock. They’re becoming a destination. And with nearly $70 million in available cap space, general manager John Lynch and Co. can be as aggressive as they see fit.
Yeah, that’s a good situation to be in.
More from SF 49ers Free Agency
- Former 49ers kicker Robbie Gould still wants to play for Bears
- 49ers bolster wide receiver room by grabbing Chris Conley
- 49ers news: Kerry Hyder is back to bolster defensive line depth
- Low-risk free agents 49ers can still target before NFL Draft
- 49ers aren’t talking to this free agent (but they should)
There’s a lot of work to be done, though, and free agency will likely be a valuable tool to make serious improvements across the board.
Niner Noise has broached the topic pretty extensively. But with ongoing reports and rumors coming in, it’s possible to hone down the list of likable targets San Francisco should pursue on the open market.
For note, free agency officially begins on Mar. 14 with the legal “tampering” period starting two days earlier.
Based off the latest information, here are the three best targets for San Francisco in free agency.
No. 3: Wide Receiver Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
The reason Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson isn’t listed higher is the 49ers may not necessarily need a high-profile wideout this offseason.
A luxury item, yes. But not a must have. Just ask Joe Fann of 49ers.com.
Still, Robinson would be a great addition. At 24 years old, Robinson is just two seasons removed from a 1,400-yard, 14-touchdown campaign with quarterback Blake Bortles at the helm. Robinson missed all but one game in 2017 after suffering a season-ending ACL injury. But his relatively young age should make teams hopeful for a full recovery.
Not long ago, signs were pointing to the Jaguars placing a franchise tag on Robinson. But later reports suggested the Jags were interested in retaining fellow wideout Marquise Lee’s services. Not Robinson’s.
Read into it what you may, but Robinson’s tweet 30 minutes after the initial report sure seems cryptic:
You reap what you sow
— Allen Robinson II (@AllenRobinson) March 5, 2018
Wide receiver may not be a top need. But it’s hard to ignore the idea of a crop of wideouts containing Robinson, Pierre Garçon, Marquise Goodwin and Trent Taylor being the impact weapony Jimmy Garoppolo needs.
No. 2: Offensive Guard Andrew Norwell, Carolina Panthers
Like Allen Robinson, it doesn’t appear as if the Carolina Panthers will place a franchise tag on fifth-year offensive guard Andrew Norwell.
Norwell, who earned his first All-Pro selection in 2017, was also Pro Football Focus‘ third-best guard last season. On 1,066 snaps, Norwell didn’t allow a single quarterback hit or sack. That’s pretty elite.
This kind of production won’t come cheap. According to Spotrac.com’s market-value tool, Norwell is worth an average annual salary of $11.7 million — awfully high for an interior offensive lineman.
Remember, though, the 49ers can afford this and could also use help up front.
More from Niner Noise
- 49ers 2023 NFL Draft tracker: Pick-by-pick news and analysis
- Predicting 49ers NFL Draft picks by looking at final mocks
- DraftKings NFL Draft Promo – Win $150 Guaranteed on Any $5 Bet
- 2023 NFL Draft: EDGE Byron Young could be impact player for 49ers
- 5 low-key NFL Draft options for 49ers who are flying under the radar
The guard position isn’t settled heading into 2018. Right guard Brandon Fusco is unsigned, and left guard Joshua Garnett missed all of last season with a knee injury. His fill-in, Laken Tomlinson, struggled early before finishing the year with a halfway-decent 70.7 PFF grade.
Norwell would be an upgrade over all three options.
If signed, Norwell would assume the left-side duties, pushing Garnett into open competition with Tomlinson for the right guard spot. The move would also lessen the need to re-sign Fusco, as the loser of the Garnett-Tomlinson competition becomes the immediate interior backup.
No. 1: Cornerback Kyle Fuller, Chicago Bears
Recent reports state the Chicago Bears aren’t likely to place the franchise tag on cornerback Kyle Fuller, although the same report says both sides have mutual interest.
Cornerback is, perhaps, the No. 1 need the 49ers have entering this offseason. While the NFL Draft is a plausible option, one needs to note rookie defensive backs often struggle in transition from the collegiate ranks to the pros. Opposing receivers are better, routes are more complex and coverage schemes take longer to learn.
So it would make sense for San Francisco to use free agency as a route here.
There are other names on the free-agent market, namely Malcolm Butler of the New England Patriots and Trumaine Johnson of the Los Angeles Rams. But Fuller’s 69.0 allowed-quarterback passer rating when targeted ranks notably better than both Johnson (79.8) and Butler (96.6), per Pro Football Focus.
Kyle Fuller is 26 years-old and Allen Robinson will be 25 when the season starts. You'd think both will be entering their prime & would plug in as your top CB and WR. Rare opportunity to get young, talented core pieces in free agency #49ers https://t.co/iAAz0eXHKQ
— Al Sacco (@AlSacco49) March 5, 2018
If the Niners are looking for a corner to operate in space and shut down one side of the field, Fuller appears to be the guy.
Paired with second-year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, Fuller would give the 49ers another young and talented defensive back capable of immediately addressing the team’s shortcomings here.
Fuller’s price tag would be fairly high, especially if the Niners get into a bidding war with Chicago. But the move would also save San Francisco one of its top picks in the NFL Draft, which would likely be used to target a cornerback should Fuller sign elsewhere.
Next: NFL free agency: Latest 49ers rumors, news and reports
The 49ers have fallback options at the position if Fuller doesn’t wind up signing with San Francisco. But he should easily be atop the team’s wish list in free agency this offseason.