49ers' decision to pass on affordable free-agent targets is downright baffling

The 49ers haven't been particularly active in NFL free agency, but passing up on affordable targets is wholly confusing.

The San Francisco 49ers' approach to the 2025 offseason made sense, at least for a while.

Multiple reports and comments, including some from general manager John Lynch, indicated the Niners were aiming to cut costs after being the NFL's top-spending team last year. In tandem with trying to also get younger, parting ways with expensive veteran talent right around the turn of the league new year was understandable.

In response, San Francisco's onboards over the first two weeks of free agency have been, well... underwhelming. Aside from mostly backups and special teams contributors, the biggest signing has been quarterback Mac Jones, who'll serve as a contingency plan to Brock Purdy amid the latter's contract extension talks.

Again, getting younger and cheaper makes sense in the big picture.

But, it's safe to wonder if the 49ers' "slash and burn" campaign while avoiding spending money on talent is simply going too far.

49ers whiffing on 2 instant-impact (and cheap) defenders makes no sense

True, the first few days of free agency typically involve overspending. But the second week is usually where great bargains could be found: one- and two-year deals on the cheap for players whose market values were expected to be higher.

The Niners aren't even shopping here.

Two specific whiffs on the free-agent market are baffling, the failures to sign either former New York Giants pass-rusher Azeez Ojulari or former Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill.

Instead, Ojulari and Thornhill inked one-year deals with the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively:

San Francisco hosted Thornhill, so at least there was interest to help alleviate the free-agent loss of Talanoa Hufanga to the Denver Broncos. But the veteran defensive back left without a contract.

However, Ojulari's non-signing is an absolute mystery.

For starters, a $4 million deal for a B-level pass-rusher is tremendously cheap. If the 49ers were interested in inexpensive options, this was a grand opportunity missed.

Second, the Niners desperately need another pass-rusher after failing to land now-Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa while also dismissing veteran edge Leonard Floyd in a penny-pinching move.

Befuddling.

At some point, San Francisco will simply need to field a 90-man offseason roster, and relying solely on April's NFL Draft to fill the many voids is about as risky a proposition there is. It might not be the worst strategy to focus more on the draft for an influx of talent.

But, wholly passing on cheap options for vital areas of need is beyond explanation at this point.

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