49ers: 4 players who benefit most from NFL free agency signings

No. 1: 49ers Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo

So many of the Niners’ NFL free agency moves were centered on getting the offense back up to par, at least where it was in 2019 during the Super Bowl year.

And while it’s fair to question whether or not quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo winds up being the long-term answer under center, it sure seems he’ll be there in 2021 at the very least.

San Francisco 49ers

Garoppolo is under a lot of pressure to deliver this season, especially if San Francisco brings in another quarterback early via the NFL Draft to pressure him. And while injuries have thwarted Jimmy G’s efforts in 2018 and 2020, it’s not too hard to understand why providing him with the best possible pass protection will do a lot of good this upcoming season.

Trent Williams and Alex Mack help solidify Garoppolo’s immediate front and blind side, while Kyle Juszczyk still acts as a pass-catching weapon out of the backfield. And all three of those free-agent moves ensure Kyle Shanahan’s rushing offense picks up where it left off in 2019, too, taking pressure off Garoppolo from having to do too much with his arm.

And while the 49ers lost one of Garoppolo’s favorite weapons to free agency, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, don’t overlook the sleeper pickup of former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield, who was buried on Arizona’s depth chart but could be a viable third-down option and red-zone target.

Just like Bourne was.

With the O-line addressed and reinforced, Juszczyk back and Sherfield in play to bolster the wide receiver depth chart, Garoppolo should have arguably the best offensive context to surround him.

Hopefully he’ll thrive with it.