NFL free agency: 5 low-budget players 49ers can target in 2020
No. 1: Interior Protection
If you can snag a free-agent offensive lineman from the New England Patriots, you do that.
Offensive guard Joe Thuney started all 16 games for the Patriots last season. And he is an extremely disciplined player. In those 16 starts over the course of 2019, he committed zero, yes, zero penalties.
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There is a chance the 49ers move on from guard Mike Person this offseason. Person is on a relatively low-budget contract, but the fact he’s owed zero in guaranteed money in 2020 clouds the waters a bit. Players who have zero in guarantees any season are always in a precarious spot, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see San Francisco make a move here.
In that scenario, the Niners will need some added interior offensive line help. And Thuney would be a great addition to help the run-game element of the 49ers while also keeping quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo upright.
Thuney, 27 years old, is also young enough and still just hitting the prime of his career. Plus, second-tier interior offensive linemen rarely command the top-dollar contracts associated with big-name offensive tackles or elite-level guards.
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NFL free agency officially starts on March 18, 2020.