49ers: 5 bargains available in next wave of free agency
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Offensive Tackle Kelvin Beachum
The next remaining free agent on this list would probably cost a bit more than the previous two mentioned, but it’s hard to imagine veteran offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum‘s asking price would be exorbitant.
Beachum, who’ll turn 31 years old before the season begins, spent the last three seasons with the New York Jets.
And apparently he wasn’t particularly thrilled with Jets head coach Adam Gase towards the end of his contract, either.
Regardless, the 49ers suddenly find themselves looking hard at potential options along their offensive line, especially if the rumors about a would-be left tackle Joe Staley retirement turn out to be true.
San Francisco has backup linemen Daniel Brunskill, Justin Skule and Shon Coleman able to fill in for Staley, should the latter retire. But Brunskill might already be penciled in as the starting right guard, while Coleman missed all of last year with a serious ankle injury.
Skule, meanwhile, was OK in his rookie campaign. But with the Niners’ Super Bowl window open now, a veteran upgrade might be the route to take.
Especially if it saves the 49ers from having to use one of its first-round NFL Draft choices on an offensive lineman in a draft class awfully top-heavy in O-line talent.