Predicting which pending free agents 49ers re-sign in 2020
By Peter Panacy
Easy Let-Walk Decisions for 49ers
The 49ers are going to have to part ways with some of their key depth this offseason, hoping either to replenish the losses via the NFL Draft or by finding cheaper alternatives on the open market.
Other unrestricted free agents also present relatively easy decisions for San Francisco.
DE Anthony Zettel
The Niners brought aboard defensive end Anthony Zettel late in the year as a depth piece, and he appeared in just one game during his brief tenure with the team after spending the better part of 2019 with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Zettel will walk.
CB Dontae Johnson
Like Zettel, cornerback Dontae Johnson was brought back after a training camp stint to fill an injury void. Johnson squeaked into seven games with the 49ers over the season, often finding himself both on and off the roster throughout the year.
As long as San Francisco anticipates its cornerback crop remaining healthy, Johnson will be searching for a new team in 2020.
WR Jordan Matthews
Similar to Johnson, veteran wide receiver Jordan Matthews found himself both on and off the 49ers roster with regularity, frequently being a weekly inactive when he was present.
The Niners could see some shakeups amid their receiving corps this offseason, but it’s hard to imaging a spot being held for Matthews.
NT Earl Mitchell
San Francisco convinced veteran nose tackle Earl Mitchell to come out of retirement, following defensive tackle D.J. Jones‘ season-ending ankle injury.
Mitchell is likely heading back to a life after football.
TE Levine Toilolo
Ross Dwelley and Daniel Helm seem to have a better shot at hanging around as depth tight ends over Levine Toilolo, who still managed to get into 13 games with San Francisco in the season.
Unless Kyle Shanahan is obsessed with Toilolo’s blocking, the veteran is probably gone.
TE Garrett Celek
Like Toilolo, veteran tight end Garrett Celek doesn’t appear to have a space carved out for him on the roster.
Injuries thwarted Celek’s 2019 campaign, and he’ll be looking elsewhere for a team this year.
CB Jason Verrett
The 49ers gave oft-injured cornerback Jason Verrett a one-year prove-it deal last offseason, hoping he could resurrect what was once a promising career.
But Verrett’s limited field time back in Week 3 was nothing short of disappointing, and he subsequently landed right back on injured reserve. There isn’t much reason for San Francisco to bring him back.
What about those tougher decisions, though?