49ers free agency: Grading 2021 additions and losses
By Peter Panacy
Grading 49ers upgrading at center with Alex Mack
ALEX MACK. A-. . Center. San Francisco 49ers
As of now, the financial details behind San Francisco’s free-agent pickup of veteran center Alex Mack aren’t known, and subsequent reports suggest a deal is merely pending, not complete.
But for those worrying whether or not Mack will actually join, usually, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport speaks things into existence:
#Falcons free agent center Alex Mack is expected to sign with the #49ers, source said, as the Cal product lands back in the Bay Area. Mack has been with coach Kyle Shanahan in Cleveland and Atlanta... and now SF.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2021
Rapoport later reported the deal was worth $5.5 million, which is notably cheaper than what the guy he’s replacing on the roster would have made in 2021.
Mack worked with Kyle Shanahan back with the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons, and Shanahan has long since put an emphasis on veteran centers, who are tasked with anchoring the blocking unit in front of one of the league’s most complex offenses.
Considering Mack, 35 years old, already has that knowledge and should easily transition in, it’s a great get.
The 49ers struggled at center in the wake of Weston Richburg’s 2019 knee injury, which kept him out all of last year and created a revolving door in his stead. And while Mack might no longer be at the pinnacle of his career, he’s a clear upgrade over the options the Niners had to replace Richburg last season, namely Hroniss Grasu and intended right guard, Daniel Brunskill.
With Mack in tow, San Francisco’s offensive line is all but locked into place. And since the initial contract terms are more than reasonable, this will be a great pickup.