SF 49ers free agency: 5 offensive linemen to target in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Center Daniel Kilgore, Kansas City Chiefs
Remember the part about center being somewhat of a black hole for San Francisco? In the wake of Weston Richburg’s absence, the SF 49ers were hoping No. 2 center Ben Garland, also a free agent this offseason, could fill the void much like he did late in 2019. But Garland suffered a season-ending calf injury, leaving the Niners to try plugging in third- and fourth-string centers like Hroniss Grasu and Daniel Brunskill, the latter being moved from right guard.
Garland could be a re-sign priority, too. But if he departs, it wouldn’t be a bad move for San Francisco to stage a reunion with its former starting center, Daniel Kilgore of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kilgore, 33 years old, likely doesn’t fit into Kansas City’s long-term plans and has been relegated to backup status. That might be the kind of role he’d have with the SF 49ers, although one has to recall how he was a 16-game starter at the position for Kyle Shanahan back in 2017 before being traded to the Miami Dolphins the following offseason — a move predicated by the free-agent pickup of Richburg.
The good thing is Kilgore would come cheap, adding some much-needed depth to the interior of the Niners O-line.