5 bargains 49ers can target after opening wave of NFL free agency

49ers bargain free agent No. 3: Tight end Gerald Everett

Update: Gerald Everett is reportedly signing with the Los Angeles Chargers.

It’s unclear whether or not San Francisco was in on former Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper, who ultimately signed with the Tennessee Titans. But 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan wanted Hooper before, and the longstanding desire Shanahan has to pair another decent tight end with All-Pro George Kittle likely hasn’t gone away with the passing of another year.

Hooper could be a No. 1 tight end on most rosters, but former Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks tight end Gerald Everett probably doesn’t have the capacity to rise above being a No. 2.

Still, that’s precisely what the Niners could use.

Everett, who signed a one-year deal with the Hawks a year ago and caught 48 passes for 478 yards and four touchdowns, has familiarity with a Shanahan-like offense from his days in LA, which should make for a relatively seamless transition.

And with San Francisco apparently not interested in bringing back its former No. 2 tight end behind Kittle, Ross Dwelley, adding on someone like Everett might be something of an upgrade.

Without much of a market developing for Everett, it’s likely the 49ers could look at bringing him in on the cheap.