NFL free agency signings allow 49ers to draft best player available

NFL free agency is not yet over, but the 49ers signed their share of players and have their starters lined up for 2023, and that’s perfect for the draft.

The first wave of NFL free agency is over, and the San Francisco 49ers didn’t do quite as bad as some had feared, given their big amount of free agents.

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Yes, some depth pieces are left in search of a starting role, and the team lost some starters, but the vast majority of starters from the NFC Championship game will return to San Francisco in 2023 as it looks to win its sixth Lombardi Trophy.

For those keeping scores, the three starters not returning are guard Daniel Brunskill, right tackle Mike McGlinchey and nickel corner Jimmie Ward.

The 49ers haven’t been resting on their laurels by any means either. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave has come to add firepower to the defensive line, cornerback Isaiah Oliver will be the overwhelming favorite to take over the nickel role, Jon Feliciano will be a welcome depth piece to the interior offensive line and the team extended Colton McKivitz and seems to have confidence he can rise to the challenge at right tackle.

With the exception of kicker Robbie Gould, who may still leave but looks like he could now stay as he and the Niners are in contact, the team looks like it has everything sown up.

(Although in saying that 49ers, EDGE Yannick Ngakoue is still on the market and could be had for cheaper now the market has dried up if you truly want some firepower on that defensive line).

Such due diligence should be applauded, and this now significantly frees up San Francisco in the NFL Draft later this April. The 49ers can focus on both taking the best player available and shoring up depth, perhaps trading up one or more times with the 11 draft picks they possess.

The Niners have been known to find more than their share of gems in the later rounds, so don’t be surprised if they look to bundle up their Day 2 picks and some fifth-round selections to make a pick or two earlier for that day, and then use their later picks to find some depth options that could impress.

Change is always scary, San Franciso fans can be assured that once again the franchise is in some safe hands heading into the NFL Draft.