3 NFL free agency do-overs for 49ers from 2023 offseason
With hindsight being a thing, the 49ers probably wish they could go back and execute these three actions in NFL free agency.
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers' 2023 offseason is generally a mixed bag, saved by the addition of Javon Hargrave. If the Niners could do it all over, they'd do these three things differently.
For those who don't like being critical of the San Francisco 49ers, especially at a point during the offseason when nothing much is going on, here's an important rule to remember:
Winning the offseason doesn't mean a damned thing.
The Niners certainly didn't win the offseason. At least not according to Pro Football Focus, who gave general manager John Lynch and Co. a C-grade for their efforts. Their haul in NFL free agency was highlighted by the big-ticket signing of star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, yes, but few other moves moved the needle much.
San Francisco's NFL Draft moves were also a bit questionable, too.
We're here for free agency right now, however, and it's always a bit of fun to look back and think if Lynch and the 49ers would appreciate a do-over with some of their 2023 free-agent moves and non-moves.
Especially these three they'd likely handle differently.
49ers NFL free agency do-over No. 3: Sign C.J. Gardner-Johnson over Isaiah Oliver
The Niners needed a nickel defensive back and elected to pick up former Atlanta Falcons corner Isaiah Oliver on a two-year deal worth $6.75 million.
Oliver was solid last year, as opposing quarterbacks posted a 76.2 passer rating when targeting him. And that was with a bad Falcons defensive front playing in front of him, too.
That said, San Francisco could have easily gone after former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who is a year younger and was just as effective in coverage last season, too, allowing a 78.4 passer rating when targeted.
He signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions for $6.5 million, which is effectively almost twice as much as the 49ers are paying Oliver.
However, Gardner-Johnson is both versatile and has the ballhawking tendencies, coming away with six interceptions a season ago. Oliver had only one.
49ers NFL free agency do-over No. 2: Giving Sam Darnold $3.5 million guaranteed
Look, there's nothing wrong with the Niners signing former Carolina Panthers and New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold to a one-year flier worth up to $4.5 million. After all, Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan always liked Darnold out of USC up to him being selected by Gang Green at No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Plus, knowing quarterback Brock Purdy is coming off offseason elbow surgery and fellow quarterback Trey Lance has only four regular-season starts since he was drafted in 2021, Darnold is pretty good insurance, right?
Yes, he is. However, $3.5 million of that $4.5 million is fully guaranteed. Yikes!
Perhaps Darnold will thrive in his new environment. So, if Purdy isn't healthy and/or regresses in year two, and Lance winds up being anything other than the guy, it'll be a smart move having grabbed Darnold this offseason.
Given Darnold's previous track record (59.7 completion percentage and 78.2 passer rating), spending that kind of guaranteed money for someone who could easily be a QB3 on the depth chart isn't smart.
49ers NFL free agency do-over No. 1: Re-sign Emmanuel Moseley
One of the few major question marks San Francisco has on its 2023 roster is at cornerback, specifically who'll be the No. 2 option opposite Charvarius Ward.
For now, it appears as if third-year pro Deommodore Lenoir is the favorite, and he actually started 13 games last season and performed moderately well enough in relief of the intended boundary-corner starter, Emmanuel Moseley, who was lost to a torn ACL in Week 5.
That ACL injury might have deterred the 49ers from re-signing Moseley, a player they brought up from the ranks of the undrafted and turned into a bona fide starter.
Still, Moseley probably could have been had on the cheap, and the Niners easily could have matched the one-year, $6 million deal he inked with Detroit.
Instead, Lenoir has to prove he was worth San Francisco bidding farewell to Moseley, and that might be a tall order.
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