Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Grading DeForest Buckner trade, other moves in NFL free agency

By Peter Panacy

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 15: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers is seen during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 15: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers is seen during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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DeForest Buckner, 49ers
DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers’ biggest storyline amid the start of NFL free agency was trading DeForest Buckner. Yet how should the rest of the team’s moves be graded? Niner Noise takes a look.

While the San Francisco 49ers weren’t expected to be major players in the 2020 free-agent market this offseason, they did make a pretty massive splash, sending away 2018 Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for the No. 13 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.

The Niners also retained two of their top pending free agents, defensive end Arik Armstead and safety Jimmie Ward, who each signed new deals to stay in San Francisco.

But after that, most of general manager John Lynch‘s moves have been little more than supplementary, reinforcing the back end of the offseason roster and providing some depth leading up to the draft and into training camp later this summer.

While NFL free agency technically won’t end until the end of the next league new year, Niner Noise takes a look at the moves San Francisco made so far, including the decisive Buckner trade.

B+. . . . TRADING DEFOREST BUCKNER

When the 49ers re-signed Armstead to his new five-year deal, almost immediately speculation arose the Niners were considering Buckner.

And they did.

On the positive side, San Francisco instantly cleared $12 million in much-needed cap space, freeing up money to re-sign both Armstead and Ward. And with the Colts subsequently inking Buckner to a new deal worth $21 million annually, the 49ers freed themselves from that massive money-eating commitment.

The 13th overall pick received in return also puts the Niners in play for one of the many top-tier wide receivers who otherwise wouldn’t be available for San Francisco’s own Round 1 selection, No. 31 overall. That’s excellent, too.

Yet Buckner’s production isn’t something the 49ers defense can merely replace. Right now, Buckner is better than any prospect San Francisco could grab at No. 13.

If that prospect winds up being a massive impact player, this grade goes up to an A with ease.

Until then, it’s a good move. Nothing more.