Niner Noise
FanSided

5 early targets for the 49ers in 2020 NFL free agency

By Peter Panacy

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball after making a catch against the San Francisco 49ers at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball after making a catch against the San Francisco 49ers at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 04: Offensive guard Brandon Scherff #75 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 04: Offensive guard Brandon Scherff #75 of the Washington Redskins looks on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Offensive Guard Brandon Scherff

Offensive guards can get a good deal of money on the open market, and one needs to look no further than the deal Andrew Norwell signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018 as an example.

That said, guards don’t quite receive the kind of money offensive tackles typically get on the open market. And with the 49ers having some issues along the interior of their offensive line early in 2019, making a substantial upgrade during the offseason would be a wise move.

A player to watch here is Washington Redskins guard Brandon Scherff, who is currently playing on his fifth-year option. At 27 years old, he’s only hitting the prime of his career. And the added bonus, playing on head coach Jay Gruden’s system, is Scherff would seamlessly transition into the outside-zone blocking offense employed by Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Gruden is of the Shanahan coaching tree, after all.

The question is whether or not Washington will want to re-sign Scherff, which would be a wise move. But if Gruden, who is on the hot seat after what’s already looking to be another disappointing year at the helm, it’s possible a new head coach will want to employ his own changes, possibly pushing Scherff to NFL free agency.

Again, possibly.

If so, San Francisco would be wise to pounce on a player, who has been about as solid as they come up front and can provide an upgrade over the incumbent left guard, Laken Tomlinson.