The 49ers are likely done with their splash signings in NFL free agency, but these low-risk players can be potential add-ons prior to the 2023 draft.
The San Francisco 49ers’ No. 1 move in free agency this offseason was grabbing former Philadephia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who’ll help reinforce general manager John Lynch’s modus operandi of being strong in the trenches.
The Niners also onboarded some ancillary players without as big name recognition as Hargrave, and names like cornerback Isaiah Oliver and offensive lineman Jon Feliciano could play significant roles this season.
According to Over the Cap, San Francisco has just a shade over $3 million in cap space just weeks before the 2023 NFL Draft. And while it’ll take approximately $6 million to sign the 49ers’ rookie draft class, only the top 51 contracts will count this time of year.
So, there’s a little wiggle room for general manager John Lynch.
There are some big-name free agents who are still available, and it’s possible the Niners go after them if those players’ respective markets cool off and cheapen.
However, if San Francisco wants to save money and stockpile the depth chart on the cheap just ahead of the NFL Draft, these low-risk players are still available.
49ers low-risk NFL free agency target No. 1: OG Rodger Saffold
It’s weird to think a player who made back-to-back Pro Bowls the last two years remains unsigned, but that’s the case for offensive guard Rodger Saffold, who’s coming off a one-year tenure with the Buffalo Bills after having served three with the Tennessee Titans.
Saffold turns 35 years old this offseason, which is probably the main deterrent. However, he did spend considerable time under Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, who runs a similar offense as that of the 49ers.
The Niners added Feliciano but lost fellow lineman Daniel Brunskill. While it appears the guard spots are set for San Francisco with Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford, taking a flier on Saffold to push either player for a starting job wouldn’t be a bad idea.
49ers low-risk NFL free agency target No. 2: LB Kwon Alexander
How about a reunion?
Remember back when the 49ers employed a legitimate trio of linebackers in Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw and Kwon Alexander?
Granted, that 2019 effort wasn’t sustainable, but both Warner and Greenlaw are still around.
But the Niners’ No. 3 backer, Azeez Al-Shaair, left via free agency.
Alexander turns 29 years old this offseason, so he’s still on the right side of 30. That said, he dealt with some serious injuries between 2019 and 2020 despite enjoying a relatively clean slate of health with the New York Jets last season.
Coming off a contract in which he earned only $1.05 million in 2022, it’s likely San Francisco could entertain having Alexander back on the cheap to support both Warner and Greenlaw again.
49ers low-risk NFL free agency target No. 3: WR N’Keal Harry
It’s safe to call former New England Patriots wide receiver N’Keal Harry a bust after he flamed out in the wake of being selected with the final first-round pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.
That said, one might argue Harry just needs the best context in which to thrive. He is only 25 years old, after all.
Harry joining the Chicago Bears last year didn’t exactly open up his offensive chances, and it’s not like he’d get a ton of additional opportunities with the 49ers considering that Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are ahead of them on the depth chart.
However, if there’s a team with which Harry could reinvigorate his career, it’s the Niners.
San Francisco could use some competition for its No. 3 receiving role, and that’s where a player like Harry on a minimum deal comes into play.
49ers low-risk NFL free agency target No. 4: EDGE Melvin Ingram
Former Miami Dolphins EDGE Melvin Ingram already played with Joey Bosa back when both were with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Why not jump ship to the other brother, All-Pro Nick Bosa?
There was a time when Ingram would have been listed as a priority free agent on the open market. Those years are gone, though, and the soon-to-be 34-year-old pass-rusher is hitting the latter stages of his career.
That said, he still managed six sacks for the Dolphins in 2022 and could be awfully useful as a situational pass-rusher, which the 49ers need after losing defensive ends Samson Ebukam and Charles Omenihu in free agency.
There aren’t too many proven pass-rushers who’d be available to the Niners in the middle of the 2023 NFL Draft.
So, unless second-year pro Drake Jackson takes a massive leap, going after someone like Ingram to help Bosa out would make a lot of sense.
49ers low-risk NFL free agency target No. 5: CB Anthony Brown
San Francisco doesn’t have a clear-cut option to play the No. 2 cornerback role opposite Charvarius Ward this upcoming season. Sure, Deommodore Lenoir ended up replacing Emmanuel Moseley after the latter tore his ACL in Week 5, and with Moseley joining the Detroit Lions in NFL free agency, Lenoir is likely the next man up for 2023.
However, going after a veteran isn’t a bad idea either. And that’s where former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown comes into play.
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Brown allowed a passer rating of just 89.7 last season over 12 games for Dallas. And despite the fact he’ll turn 30 years old this upcoming season, he still has plenty of proverbial “gas left in the tank.”
Going the NFL Draft route is an option, but young defensive backs frequently struggle to adjust to the pros, and a win-now team like the 49ers wouldn’t mind adding an experienced veteran.
Especially if Brown’s asking price isn’t too high.