49ers: Free agency, the NFL Draft and other areas of concern in 2020

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Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

49ers Players Hitting NFL Free Agency

While a Super Bowl win often drives up many a pending free agent’s asking price, being the runner up also means the same category of players can expect a good deal on the open market.

After all, many of those players likely had to perform exceptionally well to just reach the Super Bowl.

The 49ers have some key free agents hitting the open market, including the following:

Running back Matt Breida and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who both played big roles for the offense in 2019, are restricted free agents. San Francisco re-signing both is a strong probability. Meanwhile, cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill and backup quarterback Nick Mullense are exclusive-rights free agents, meaning they essentially can negotiate only with San Francisco. Again, all of them are likely back.

But what about the unrestricted free agents listed above?

Armstead suggested he’d be open to the franchise tag, which is a possibility. But the number could reach nearly $17 million on the one-year deal. Would the 49ers want to pay him that much? Sanders, who’ll turn 33 years old next month, likely isn’t a long-term option. His age could also mean a relatively cheaper contract, too, but that’s yet to be determined.

Safety Jimmie Ward, who enjoyed his best season as a pro in 2019, might also give the Niners a hometown discount. But, given his lengthy injury history, it’s possible he’ll want to cash in on what could be the biggest contract he’ll ever receive at the pro level.

And the 49ers aren’t exactly flush with cap space, either.