5 bargain free agents 49ers can target this NFL offseason
By Peter Panacy
49ers free-agent target No. 2: Offensive guard Mark Glowinski, Colts
Laken Tomlinson is a top-priority re-sign candidate for the 49ers this offseason. But in the wake of his first Pro Bowl nod, it’s possible he’ll be looking for a deal worth up to $10 million annually in what’s essentially his first real foray into NFL free agency.
Perhaps the Niners have an on-roster replacement in second-year pro Aaron Banks, who saw just five offensive snaps his rookie year after being drafted in Round 2, and left guard is his natural position anyway. Even so, if Banks takes over for Tomlinson, San Francisco could stand to upgrade over right guard Daniel Brunskill, reverting him back to a still-valuable primary backup for all five spots along the offensive line.
Should the 49ers dip into the free-agent pool here but not want to spend much, Indianapolis Colts right guard Mark Glowinski would be a reasonable target.
Glowinski is much more productive in the run game than in pass protection, yet Pro Football Focus credited him with only two sacks and eight quarterback hits allowed over the course of 2021.
Over the Cap valued Glowinski’s production last year just a shade under $3 million, so even a modest bump in value to $4 million or $5 million might be much more of a bargain than re-signing Tomlinson.