SF 49ers: 5 bold trades to help free up cap space in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: SF 49ers move Mark Nzeocha to LA Chargers
Most probably wouldn’t view this as a bold trade, per se. But veteran linebacker Mark Nzeocha has been one of San Francisco’s better special teams gunners and aces for the past four seasons, and one can only think he might have increased his value a bit if he had stayed healthy for more than just the five games he saw last season.
Granted, downgrading special teams can be an under-the-radar detriment to any team. But the 31-year-old Nzeocha is making an awful lot of money for a player who isn’t on the field very often — $1.53 million scheduled for 2021.
The good news, though, is none of that is guaranteed money, and the SF 49ers would be able to clear all of it if he’s traded this offseason.
While reserve players and special teams aces don’t typically warrant trades, a team like the LA Chargers could be eager to bolster what was Football Outsiders‘ worst-ranked special teams unit in 2020 by adding a player like Nzeocha.
True, a trade like this would warrant nothing more than perhaps a seventh-round pick. But as far as the financials go, the Chargers have an up-and-coming quarterback, Justin Herbert, on a rookie contract and are getting awfully close to win-now mode. They can afford the move, especially if they’re looking to bolster a massive weak link.
Meanwhile, the Niners clear up a much-needed $1.53 million and hope to land a replacement with the compensation in return.