The 49ers aren’t likely to grab any more big names in NFL free agency, but these less-discussed free agents could turn into quality additions.
In all likelihood, the San Francisco 49ers are probably done with any splash signing in NFL free agency.
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave was the biggest “get” for general manager John Lynch and Co., while others like cornerback Isaiah Oliver will help shore up other spots of need.
With the opening wave of free agency in the rearview mirror, the Niners still have some notable needs but retain a roster that is very much in contention for a Super Bowl.
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All that’ll be needed are the tweaks and alterations that contending teams should make between the start of the league’s new year and the annual NFL Draft, which will kick off in late April.
Those roster moves aren’t likely to move the proverbial needle too much, at least in terms of how potent San Francisco looks.
That said, the 49ers can still add these under-the-radar free agents at a low-cost value in order to make those improvements happen.
49ers cheap free-agent target No. 5: Safety Landon Collins
There would have been a time not long ago when veteran safety Landon Collins could be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year.
Unfortunately for him, injuries and other setbacks have largely relegated the three-time Pro Bowler to relatively forgotten status, and his one-year reunion with the New York Giants in 2022 resulted in only six games played.
That said, Collins is still just 29 years old, and a fresh start somewhere else might be beneficial for him.
The Niners already have two safeties in Tashaun Gipson and Talanoa Hufanga, but adding Collins on a one-year “prove it” deal would not only spark the competition but also provide some veteran leadership to a relatively young San Francisco secondary.
Plus, three-safety sets aren’t exactly a bad thing, and the 49ers watched Tarvarius Moore depart in free agency anyway.
49ers cheap free-agent target No. 4: Offensive lineman Tom Compton
Some may think this foolish, but it might not be the worst idea for the Niners to reunite with their former swing tackle, Tom Compton, who left in 2022 to join the Denver Broncos on a one-year deal.
Back to being a free agent, Compton potentially rejoining San Francisco would help alleviate the free-agent loss of right tackle Mike McGlinchey, whom the 49ers had little chance of retaining and now plays in Denver after a lucrative new contract of his own.
Granted, the Niners inked former Giants lineman Jon Feliciano and also have reserve lineman Colton McKivitz poised to take over at right tackle for McGlinchey.
But, back in 2021, it was Compton who filled in for McGlinchey when the latter suffered a season-ending quad injury halfway through the year.
While Compton wasn’t exceptional in relief, he wasn’t downright awful either.
And he knows the offense.
49ers cheap free-agent target No. 3: Cornerback Bryce Callahan
Like Landon Collins, the days of cornerback Bryce Callahan being a top name on a free-agent market have long since passed.
And, at 31 years old, Callahan’s best days are long behind him, and it’s not like he’ll command a sizable contract on the open market after spending 2022 with the Los Angeles Chargers.
That said, Callahan’s tenure with the Bolts turned into something of a bounce-back year in which he had three interceptions, six pass breakups and forced opposing quarterbacks to post a passer rating of 80 when targeting him.
San Francisco lost its long-time nickel cornerback K’Waun Williams entering 2022, and defensive back Jimmie Ward held down that spot for much of last year but ultimately took his talents to the Houston Texans this offseason.
Granted, the 49ers hope Isaiah Oliver can replace Ward in that spot, but Callahan would be an excellent competition piece, or at worst, a reserve in case of injury.
49ers cheap free-agent target No. 2: EDGE Trey Flowers
Ah, yes. Another “has been” player who might be worth a reclamation project.
Speaking of reclamations, the Niners have done so with defensive line castoffs over the years, and it just so happens they need a complementary pass-rusher to pair with All-Pro EDGE Nick Bosa.
Back in 2019, it seemed unfathomable the New England Patriots would move on from EDGE Trey Flowers, but they did. And the Detroit Lions subsequently rewarded him with a lucrative contract, only to see Flowers have essentially one productive season in Detroit before flaming out.
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His lone year with the Miami Dolphins in 2022 in which he appeared in four games wasn’t particularly inspiring either, and the 29-year-old Flowers will need another location to resurrect his career.
At what would likely be a veteran’s minimum, the thinking here would be San Francisco’s defensive line coach, Kris Kocurek, could squeeze the last bit of high-level productivity from Flowers in a context where he could be the No. 2 behind Bosa and nothing more.
49ers cheap free-agent target No. 1: Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin
The 49ers already have their top boundary cornerback in Charvarius Ward, but Emmanuel Moseley’s departure in NFL free agency opens up a pretty big void on the other side.
Granted, the Niners figured out some alternatives when Moseley tore his ACL in Week 5 last year. But, with Moseley now playing with the Lions, San Francisco won’t have any other choice but to stick with those contingency plans.
Right now, it appears as if third-year pro Deommodore Lenoir will be that guy. Based on how he played down the stretch in 2022, it might not be the worst option.
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However, if the 49ers want a more established cornerback who isn’t a high-risk commodity and won’t break the bank, it could be Rock Ya-Sin, who’ll turn 27 years old this offseason and just spent a productive 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Not necessarily a ballhawk, Ya-Sin still held opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 82.6 a year ago.
That could be an upgrade on the cheap for the Niners.