NFL free agency: Grading 49ers, other NFC West moves in 2021

San Francisco 49ers

Key NFL free agency additions: EDGE Samson Ebukam, C Alex Mack, DE Zach Kerr

The Niners didn’t need to be too focused on splurging on the NFL free agency market, instead focusing on retaining as many core pieces as possible. And while the blockbuster draft trade with the Miami Dolphins was, well… a blockbuster, it’s not part of free agency.

Instead, back to those moves.

The biggest, of course, was re-signing left tackle Trent Williams to a massive record-setting six-year deal worth $138 million. Many viewed Williams as the best-available free agent in 2021, so it’s understandable why San Francisco had to pony up the cash to keep him.

While not quite as vital, the 49ers also paid handsomely to ensure fullback Kyle Juszczyk stuck around, too, inking him on a five-year deal worth $27 million.

Those contracts are expensive, yes. But a lot of cheap one-year deals to retain other players — such as safety Jaquiski Tartt and cornerbacks Jason Verrett and K’Waun Williams — help John Lynch and Co. absorb Williams and Juszczyk’s contracts.

The crown of the Niners’ new faces, of course, is veteran center Alex Mack. He’ll be a seamless fit under head coach Kyle Shanahan, and along with Williams, Mack figures to turn San Francisco’s offensive line into a strength in 2021.

Defensive linemen Samson Ebukam and Zach Kerr both figure to be role players, getting the 49ers’ defensive line depth back up to the nature of strength it had during their Super Bowl year in 2019.

The Niners focused on keeping their own in 2021, and that’s a good thing.