49ers have no business signing Robert Woods or Taylor Lewan

While the 49ers could be in the market for an offensive tackle and wide receiver depth, recently released players like Robert Woods and Taylor Lewan don’t make sense.

Who thought the immediate days and weeks after the Super Bowl were boring?

There are two notable free agents now on the market well before the league new year begins on March 15, and both have connections with the San Francisco 49ers in one way or another.

In one corner, wide receiver Robert Woods found himself released a mere one year into his tenure with the Tennessee Titans after having spent the previous five years with the Niners’ NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams.

Additionally, Tennessee bid farewell to longtime left tackle Taylor Lewan after he spent the last three years dealing with serious injuries.

The connection? The Titans’ new general manager, Ran Carthon, just jumped ship from San Francisco earlier this offseason, and he certainly isn’t messing around with Tennessee’s roster heading into 2023.

Woods is a versatile weapon with plenty of experience in an offense not unlike that of head coach Kyle Shanahan, and the 49ers potentially need a new right tackle if the incumbent, Mike McGlinchey, walks in NFL free agency.

So, why should the Niners steer clear of Woods and Lewan, these two recent Titans castoffs?

The answers are pretty straightforward, honestly.

49ers already have Jauan Jennings, don’t need Robert Woods

There was a time when Woods was the No. 1 receiving option on a potent LA offense under head coach Sean McVay. Woods had over 1,110 receiving yards in both 2018 and 2019, and his ability to line up outside or in the slot is certainly attractive.

Plus, Woods is an excellent blocker, too, which makes his value increase even more.

However, San Francisco already has its top-two wideouts set in Brandon Aiyuk and the All-Pro, Deebo Samuel, meaning Woods would be occupying a tertiary role at best.

For someone who’s turning 31 years old this offseason, it might not be the kind of role Woods would want to secure.

Especially when the 49ers already control the rights for their current No. 3 wide receiver, Jauan Jennings, who’ll be way cheaper as an exclusive-rights free agent this season than a well-established veteran like Woods, who’d probably seek WR2 money at the very least.

Taylor Lewan wouldn’t solve 49ers’ needs at right tackle

If McGlinchey walks, it’s important to understand that Lewan wouldn’t be an upgrade. While it’s not the end-all, be-all analysis, Pro Football Focus actually graded McGlinchey higher than Lewan last year, 71.5 to 67.3.

Plus, Lewan has played in only 20 regular-season games in the last three seasons. He’s no longer durable, and the Niners already have a reputation for dealing with extensive injury lists. They don’t need another veteran who fits into this category.

Read More: 5 former 49ers free agents who could be brought back in 2023

Even if the 31-year-old Lewan was fully healthy, cheap and ready to sign with San Francisco, he’d only do it if he was playing left tackle, not right tackle where McGlinchey previously served.

Unless the 49ers are planning to part ways with a perennial Pro Bowler in Trent Williams (they aren’t), Lewan will be out of luck joining Shanahan and Co.

If McGlinchey walks, the Niners will look for help elsewhere.