49ers free agency: 5 surprise players Niners may add in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers replace Trent Williams with… Jason Peters?
It’s going to be awfully hard for the Niners to re-sign perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, particularly if he commands a free-agent deal worth $18 million annually. Perhaps more.
And while there may be some younger, cheaper options out there are the market, the one assumed reality is San Francisco doesn’t have any quality starting-caliber players on its current roster to replace Williams if he walks.
Yes, the 2021 NFL Draft is deep with offensive line talent. But it wouldn’t be shocking to see the 49ers add a savvy veteran to at least hold the line until an up-and-coming player can be identified.
Perhaps someone like 39-year-old veteran Jason Peters.
It’s hard to envision the nine-time Pro Bowler playing anywhere else but with the Philadelphia Eagles. Yet the pending free agent probably won’t return there yet still managed to post a respectable 67.6 overall Pro Football Focus grade in 2020 while starting in eight games.
Because of his age, Peters likely wouldn’t break the bank, and getting someone with a lengthy pedigree should help make the transition away from Williams a bit easier.