The 49ers have freed up some cash for NFL free agency but still need to watch their budget, which means some sleepers could be in play.
Right now, the San Francisco 49ers have just over $23.5 million in available cap space, according to Over the Cap.
It might not seem like a lot. But considering the Niners could make some additional roster moves and are still in the top third of teams in terms of cap space, it’s not the worst situation to be in.
Generating additional cap space would be wise to ensure Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams doesn’t walk, as he’ll likely command a deal in the range of $20 million annually. So, even if San Francisco clears enough space for Williams, general manager John Lynch and Co. still aren’t in a position where they can go after high-profile names.
That means sleepers.
Here are four offensive sleepers in NFL free agency Lynch and the 49ers can target.
49ers Sleeper Free-Agent No. 4: Tight End Trey Burton
A year ago, the Niners intended to bulk up their tight end depth behind George Kittle and did so via adding Charlie Woerner in the NFL Draft and then the veteran, Jordan Reed.
But Reed was a non-factor late in the year, even to the point of being a healthy scratch, so it’s not likely he returns. And while San Francisco extended depth tight end Ross Dwelley during the offseason, it wouldn’t be a shock to see head coach Kyle Shanahan look to bulk up this unit a bit more between now and training camp.
One under-the-radar player to watch here is the Indianapolis Colts tight end, Trey Burton, who at 29 years old, is both younger and has a better track record in terms of health than Reed.
Burton had a career-high 569 receiving yards and six touchdowns with the Chicago Bears back in 2018. And while his numbers fell off quite a bit the last two seasons, one has to figure he’d be poised for an offensive bounce-back within a Shanahan-like system with Kittle drawing most of the attention.
Plus, Burton would come cheap. Last year, he commanded a mere $910,000 base salary and doesn’t figure to be any more expensive heading into 2021.
49ers Sleeper Free-Agent No. 3: Wide Receiver Donte Moncrief
Typically, it’s risky to re-sign a player coming off a career year heading into free agency.
That’s the case with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who has both served as a viable third-down target and red-zone weapon since being grabbed by the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2017. And last year, Bourne set career-highs with 49 receptions and 667 yards.
The Niners do have receiving-depth questions this offseason. And while the NFL Draft is laden with wide receiver prospects, it sure wouldn’t hurt to have some veteran additions to both spark the competition and provide some potential leadership throughout the upcoming year.
Back in 2018, New England Patriots wideout Donte Moncrief could have been a solid choice after starting off his career strong with the Indianapolis Colts, only to see his stats drop significantly entering his own contract year.
Moncrief bounced back enough with the Jacksonville Jaguars that year, though, accumulating 668 yards and three touchdowns. And while his last two seasons haven’t exactly been stellar, Moncrief is still young enough at 27 years old to suggest he can contribute in a likable way.
Especially considering San Francisco could use someone like the 6-foot-2, 216-pound Moncrief to replace the similar-build Bourne on the cheap.
49ers Sleeper Free-Agent No. 2: Running Back Matt Breida
It’s rare for a player to emerge out of Kyle Shanahan’s proverbial doghouse, which would seem to rule out the idea the 49ers would entertain a reunion with Miami Dolphins running back Matt Breida.
Breida’s fumbling issues didn’t disappear in his lone year with Miami, coughing up two in 2020 in what ended up being a limited role. But that won’t change the fact he’s still one of the league’s faster players, and Shanahan has always emphasized speed with his offense. Plus, with veteran runners Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon hitting the free-agent market, the Niners depth chart looks vastly thinner than it was a year ago when Breida was traded during the offseason.
Currently, San Francisco has tailbacks Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., JaMycal Hasty and Austin Walter rostered for 2021, and the first three all suffered notable injuries last year.
Adding Breida on the cheap isn’t the worst thing the 49ers could do.
Plus, Breida already knows the offense after having spent his first three seasons with San Francisco, giving him a leg up on any other offseason additions Shanahan and Co. might make.
49ers Sleeper Free-Agent No. 1: Wide Receiver John Ross
The Cincinnati Bengals have little reason to retain their high-profile pick from the 2017 NFL Draft, wide receiver John Ross, since he has essentially been replaced on the depth chart by other wideouts like Tee Higgins.
Ross was all but a forgotten commodity in Cincy last year, having just two receptions for 17 yards, and it’s pretty apparent he needs a complete change of scenery. And while some could call into question his skill set, that 4.22 40-yard time from his NFL Combine won’t go away anytime soon.
The 49ers have lacked that elite-level speed threat ever since trading away their former speedster, wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, last offseason. And while having a quarterback with a good enough arm makes the deep-threat speed much more potent, it takes two factors to make the whole thing work.
A player like Ross would be one part of the equation to help open up things elsewhere on the field.
On top of that, Ross’ drop in production from a merely OK third year the season before would make him an awfully cheap commodity.
Even if he was nothing more than a gadget-type player in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, it’s pretty easy to envision creative ways the head coach could use Ross as a legitimate deep threat.