3 tough decisions facing 49ers in 2020 NFL free agency

No. 1: Defensive Lineman Arik Armstead

In an ideal world, financially, the 49ers would have seen their top pick from the 2017 NFL Draft, defensive end Solomon Thomas, outplay defensive lineman Arik Armstead in training camp and into the regular season.

The reason being is Armstead hitting the open market, allowing the Niners to go the cheaper route.

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But it didn’t happen. Thomas has been relegated to a reserve option, while Armstead was the only San Francisco player to record double-digit sacks in 2019. And while some may argue Armstead’s stats were solely based on the team boasting a stacked defensive line, there’s little arguing with the production.

And the fact Armstead put in a career year.

The 49ers defensive line remains the team’s best defensive strength. Keeping it that way will be tough this offseason, especially considering the Niners have a pending extension for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner in the works.

There is the franchise tag option, though, which would at least keep Armstead around another year. The only question, however, is what that would cost. Armstead has played more snaps this season as a defensive end, which costs more on the tag than a pure inside defensive tackle. According to CBS Sports’ Joel Corry (h/t Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area), the tag value for an end will be $17.95 million, whereas the same tag would be $16.272 for a defensive tackle.

Not necessarily a minute difference. But it’s one the 49ers will have to consider, along with Emmanuel Sanders and Jimmie Ward.