5 bold predictions for 49ers 2022 offseason
By Peter Panacy
49ers bold prediction No. 3: No blue-chip players are brought in via NFL free agency
Currently, according to Spotrac, San Francisco just has a shade under $3 million in cap space heading into 2022. The number will fluctuate a lot, of course, and moving Jimmy Garoppolo will certainly add a lot more.
That said, don’t expect the 49ers to be heavily involved in the offseason free-agent market. At least not going after some of the household names out there.
Wide receivers Davante Adams, Allen Robinson and Chris Godwin, along with EDGE Von Miller, offensive guard Brandon Scherff and safety Tyrann Mathieu highlight what’s going to be a pretty notable NFL free agency class this offseason, and there’s likely to be plenty of speculation about the Niners trying to lure in a blue-chip player or two with the money generated from a would-be Garoppolo trade.
Our prediction suggests something like this won’t happen, though.
Instead, look for San Francisco to attempt retaining its own pending free-agent talent, namely nose tackle D.J. Jones, left guard Laken Tomlinson and perhaps even safety Jaquiski Tartt for 2022.
The 49ers roster is largely intact anyway and won’t need an overpriced, high-profile free agent.