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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 5 free-agent targets in 2019

By Peter Panacy

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 06: Bryce Callahan #37 of the Chicago Bears looks toward the bench in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field on December 6, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 06: Bryce Callahan #37 of the Chicago Bears looks toward the bench in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field on December 6, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 02: Guard Rodger Saffold #76 of the Los Angeles Rams on the bench during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 02: Guard Rodger Saffold #76 of the Los Angeles Rams on the bench during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Offensive Guard Rodger Saffold

Even if the 49ers wind up re-signing Mike Person, they could still benefit from adding a quality guard.

For starters, left guard Laken Tomlinson tore his MCL in Week 17 last season, and that could possibly delay his availability and readiness into training camp. Fellow guard and former first-round NFL Draft pick, Joshua Garnett, has an uncertain future in San Francisco after being relegated to backup duty in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

Like Brandon Graham, Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Rodger Saffold isn’t a long-term fix. He’ll also turn 31 years old before the regular season begins, but a potential Niners signing here would give the interior offensive line an upgrade, while relegating Person (or Tomlinson, potentially) to much-needed backup duties.

Plus, Rams head coach Sean McVay runs a similar zone-style blocking scheme to Kyle Shanahan. So the adjustment for Saffold wouldn’t be extreme.

The only question is whether or not L.A. would let Saffold hit the free-agent market. But with plenty of their own free-agent decisions to make, namely on the defensive side of the ball, it wouldn’t be a shock if McVay and Co. look to get both younger and cheaper with a relatively deep NFL Draft class along the offensive line.

If Saffold hits the market, San Francisco should easily make a strong push.