49ers: 5 bargains available in next wave of free agency
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers aren’t going to be making any more NFL free agency blockbuster signings, although there are some low-budget options out there to be had before the 2020 NFL Draft.
Granted, the San Francisco 49ers weren’t exactly in a position to be proverbial “high rollers” when it came to attacking NFL free agency this offseason. Trading away defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts freed up roughly $12 million in cap space, yes.
But when looking at offensive guard Tom Compton and wide receiver Travis Benjamin as the biggest external free-agent “gets” this offseason, one is allowed to feel a little underwhelmed.
Yet the Niners’ offseason plans were more about keeping as much of the current Super Bowl roster intact. Outside of Buckner and veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, general manager John Lynch was able to accomplish this.
Now, the attention shifts to the 2020 NFL Draft, where the 49ers own two picks in Round 1 (Nos. 13 and 31) and then five picks between Rounds 5 and 7.
It’s likely Lynch is saving his attention for the draft’s three days, yet that doesn’t mean he’ll completely overlook some remaining free-agent options still out there on the market. And if there’s a bargain deal to be had, either for depth or potentially a modest upgrade somewhere, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for San Francisco to pull the trigger.
Here are five likely low-cost free agents who could still be targets.
No. 5: Cornerback Aqib Talib
Having just turned 34 years old, veteran cornerback Aqib Talib is going to be playing more on his past history than future abilities. He’s no long-term option, and the 49ers would be foolish to assume he’s a long-term fix.
Yet Talib, the five-time Pro Bowler and 2016 Super Bowl champion, has the veteran pedigree to at least compete for a starting job alongside fellow veteran Richard Sherman, either pushing younger defensive backs Ahkello Witherspoon and Emmanuel Moseley or potentially earning a starting job.
Remember, the Niners don’t have much depth on the outside behind Sherman, Witherspoon and Moseley aside from the recently re-signed Jason Verrett and Dontae Johnson.
Neither one of those should be singled out as quality options, meaning San Francisco could afford a veteran’s minimum option on an experienced player like Talib to add reinforcements at a position of significant need.