49ers: 5 bargains available in next wave of free agency
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Center Daniel Kilgore
How about a reunion of sorts?
In 2018, the 49ers inked veteran center Daniel Kilgore to a new deal, then traded him away to the Miami Dolphins after bringing aboard fellow center Weston Richburg on a free-agent deal.
Simply put, the Niners liked what they had in Kilgore, but then they saw something they liked better.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo enjoyed playing with Kilgore late in 2017, so there’s some continuity there. And while San Francisco has a competent and serviceable backup to Richburg already, Ben Garland, one might see Kilgore as an upgrade for the depth chart.
And it’s important, too.
Richburg suffered a serious knee injury late in 2019. And while he’s eyeing a return in time for training camp, one can easily recall how injuries prevented Richburg from an on-time return a year ago, forcing Garland into a more prominent role during training camp and the preseason.
Garland had issues snapping the ball, whereas Kilgore didn’t when he was with San Francisco.
Should Richburg be unavailable at any point this season, Kilgore seems to be the safer and wiser bet.