Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers’ 2018 salary cap situation ahead of the start of NFL free agency

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: General Manager John Lynch signs autographs for fans prior to their NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: General Manager John Lynch signs autographs for fans prior to their NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 10: Trumaine Johnson #22 of the Los Angeles Rams runs onto the field prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 10: Trumaine Johnson #22 of the Los Angeles Rams runs onto the field prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Speculating 49ers’ Plans in NFL Free Agency

This time of year is always fun, because there are two major means NFL teams can take to make improvements — free agency and the NFL Draft.

Team needs don’t necessarily change before these two events, although mock drafts often speculate what any given team’s top need would be during the offseason.

For San Francisco, the needs likely include:

  • Cornerback
  • Edge rusher
  • Running back
  • Offensive guard
  • Linebacker
  • Wide receiver

Of that list, a corner and edge-bending pass-rusher are probably the two biggest needs. And with relatively few worthy pass-rushing names on the free-agent market, that’ll likely wind up being a position to target on draft day.

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Cornerback is another story, though. With proven veterans like Malcolm Butler, Trumaine Johnson and Kyle Fuller all as possible targets, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Niners go this route.

Wide receiver Allen Robinson is a favorite among many 49ers fans’ free-agent wish list. So is fellow wideout Sammy Watkins.

All-Pro offensive guard Andrew Norwell to the New York Giants appears to be a “done deal.” But that shouldn’t rule out San Francisco from targeting the veteran, Josh Sitton, as a worthy fallback option.

Either way, these positions will probably be atop the Niners’ free-agent target list.

Next: NFL Draft or free agency? How the 49ers address their 2018 needs

And free agency kicks off, officially, when the league’s new year begins on Mar. 14.