49ers Free Agent Breakdown: The 7 biggest names hitting the market this spring

Coming off another disappointing ending to the season, the San Francisco 49ers have many offseason questions to answer. First up: What to do in free agency?

The San Francisco 49ers have more than 20 players entering the market in March, including many starters on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. But with only an estimated $8.1 million in cap space, the Red & Gold will need to get creative with their salary cap in 2023 if they want to keep most of their 2022 unit together.

Here are seven of the biggest names San Francisco will need to make a decision on over the next month.

49ers’ key unrestricted free agents this off-season: OT Mike McGlinchey, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, S Jimmie Ward, DE Charles Omenihu, OL Jake Brendel, K Robbie Gould, S Tashaun Gipson, DE Kerry Hyder, DE Samson Ebukam, G Daniel Brunskill, CB Emmanuel Moseley.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 29, 2023

QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Previous contract: 1-year, $7 million

Prediction: Moves on from SF

A lot has changed for Jimmy Garoppolo after six years in San Francisco. Going from the 49ers’ new hope in 2017 to another quarterback castaway in 2023, Jimmy G will most likely not be back in the Bay next season.

Don’t believe me? Here’s head coach Kyle Shanahan on the matter last week.

“No, I don’t see any scenario of that,” Shanahan stated regarding a return for Garoppolo.

An icy response indeed, especially with reports surfacing that the relationship between the front office and player soured over the final week of the season.

Truth be told, no one really knows what’s next for Jimmy G. There are still plenty of Bay Area folks who have a fondness for him, including Joe Montana.

Joe Montana says start Jimmy G
Via @TheVolumeSports pic.twitter.com/gWkB0UabHL

— 49erscast (@49erscast1) February 6, 2023

Never say never, but the 49ers were practically begging teams to trade for the signal-caller last summer. Coming off offseason shoulder surgery, Jimmy G decided to stick around on a one-year restructure to prove his worth in the NFL.

Through 11 games played, Garoppolo threw for 2437 passing yards, 16 TDs and 4 INTs. He also holds a38-17 record as a 49ers starter.

Regardless, Jimmy G is looking to get paid and the Red & Gold have way too many needs at other positions to fork over the money.

OT Mike McGlinchey

Previous contract: 4-year, $18.34 million

Prediction: Moves on from SF

Another potential cap casualty, right tackle Mike McGlinchey.

The best word to describe the Notre Dame product’s play since being drafted in 2018 is inconsistent. One week, McGlinchey will be a pivotal cog in San Francisco rushing for 150 total yards. The next he’s getting run over by Micah Parsons in pass protection.

Micah Parsons tossed OL Mike McGlinchey like it was nothing 😳 pic.twitter.com/yiuGttuvCF

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 23, 2023

His pass protection has been the biggest flaw, constantly getting beat off the edge for a would-be sack or pressure. Tied for eighth in penalties (10) and 15th in sacks allowed (6), according to PFF, the 49ers could use an upgrade on the edge.

Despite the flaws, McGlinchey is a locker-room favorite and a hard worker, projected to generate an offer in the $10-15 million annual range this spring. Just don’t expect San Francisco to be the ones offering that much, especially with left tackle Trent Williams’ massive contract on the books for another season.

DEs Charles Omenihu & Samson Ebukam

Previous contract: 4-years, $2.8 million; 2-years, $12 million

Prediction: Omenihu moves on, Ebukam returns

These two pass rushers go hand-in-hand, simply because the 49ers will likely have to chose who to keep here. My money is on Samson Ebukam.

Although he’ll likely cost more, Ebukam produced the second-most sacks for the 49ers in 2022 (5). He also had 36 combined tackles, seven TFLs and 13 QB hits. The former LA Ram came to SF in 2021, signing a two-year, $12 million deal.

Meanwhile, Omenihu produced similar stats with 4.5 sacks in the regular season. He also had 20 combined tackles and 16 QB hits in 2022. Coming over from Houston during the 2021 season, Omenihu was on the books for $2.54 million in 2022.

So why not go with the cheaper option?

Well, Omenihu’s arrest makes that conversation more murky.

The former 49ers’ pass rusher was arrested on suspicion of a misdemeanor domestic violence after getting into an argument with his alleged girlfriend the week of the NFC Championship. Going through the legal processes, the NFL, nor the 49ers, displayed him for his actions and he was allowed to play in Philly.

Regardless, it’s easy to sell the former than the latter, and why the 49ers may let Omenihu walk next month, despite his good performance.

Safeties Tashaun Gipson Sr. & Jimmie Ward

Previous contract: 1-year, $1.12 million; 3-years, $28.5 million

Prediction: Gipson returns, Ward moves on

Another defensive pickle for the 49ers this offseason is at the safety position, except this one has a more predictable outcome.

Veteran Jimmie Ward has been with the 49ers since getting drafted in 2014. Having the biggest cap hit on the team in 2022 at $12.935 million, don’t expect the 31-year-old to get similar money from SF.

Coming into the regular season hurt, Ward missed the first five games due to a hamstring injury. When he did return, his position had been filled by Tashaun Gipson. Out of need, San Francisco shifted Ward to nickel-cornerback, a role he hasn’t played in since 2016. Despite the switch, the vet was still effective, racking up 50 combined tackles, three INTs, and five pass defenses.

On the flip side, Gipson’s emergence turned out to be much more than a training camp flier.

The 32-year-old safety has been rejuvenated alongside Talanoa Hufanga, producing one of the best secondary pairings in the NFL. Gipson finished the 2022 season playing all 17 games, snagging five INTs and 61 combined tackles.

With both players giving similar production only one can reasonably stay on the 49ers long-term. “Gip” has hinted at a return next season, barring he doesn’t end up retired by the summer. Meanwhile, Ward has basically said his goodbyes to his teammates, and offered a little bit of insight with his infamous Instagram Live last Tuesday.

Looking to get taken care of, financially, this offseason, all signs point to the cheaper option in 2023.

CB Emmanuel Moseley

Previous contract: 2-years, $9.38 million

Prediction: The 49ers re-sign him

The 49ers second-best cover-man was off to a great 2022 season before tearing his ACL in the closing minutes of Week 5’s clash in Carolina. Now entering contract negotiations coming off a major injury, no one truly knows Moseley’s market until offers start coming in.

What we do know is the stats: 22 combined tackles, five passes defended and one pick-six in five games in 2022.

We also know how much the 49ers appreciate “E-Man”, allowing him to rehab the injury in their facilities, even getting some work in after the season was over.

“E-Man is doing really well. He’s out on the field as we speak, working out here and rehabbing, doing really well,” general manager John Lynch stated at his closing presser. “Most of the time, unless somebody’s hit a complication you typically hear doing really well, a little bit ahead of schedule because these guys are elite athletes and if you know Mose at all, his commitment to the process is going to be elite. And that’s what he’s done. He was down in L.A., rehabbing for a long time, we’ve had him back for the last couple weeks. He’s a free agent. He’s a guy we’d have interest in bringing back because of the way he plays, but also what he stands for. He’s one of us and we’d sure like to have him back.”

Expecting a deal in the $8-10 million range annually, it’ll cost San Francisco this spring. But after seeing how many times the DBs got beat over the top last season, it may be wise to invest in another coverage corner.

K Robbie Gould

Previous contract: 2-years, $7.25 million

Prediction: The 49ers re-sign him

This is a pretty easy one, especially after the 40-year-old placekicker said he’s ready to go for next season already.

“I’m nowhere near retiring,” He said last week. “I got a lot left to do from a career perspective–No. 1 being winning a Super Bowl. And, two, I’m pretty close to a lot of milestones I think would be pretty neat to be able to accomplish.”

Gould knew proceeded to post an Instagram story with him as a 49er and the caption: “Is next year here yet??? Unfinished business.”

Robbie is ready for next season 😤

(via @robbiegould09 / IG) pic.twitter.com/R8dy9lsWF2

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) January 31, 2023

Coming off a 2-years, $7.25 million deal, Gould may have to take a slight payout if he wants to return to the 49ers. That doesn’t seem to be an issue though, with his mind locked in on winning a Super Bowl so he can ride into the sunset of kickers paradise.

LB Azeez Al-Shaair

Previous contract: 1-year, $3.986 million

Prediction: Moves on from SF

Azeez Al-Shaair is coming off a complementary season as a Niner. Falling victim to 49ers’ MCL bug, Al-Shaair only featured in 12 games last season. Serving as the strong side linebacker, “AAS” picked up 44 combined tackles in year five in San Francisco.

Despite the underwhelming stats, Al-Shaair has shown his versatility in the middle, filling in for Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw seamlessly at times. His 2021 play was most impressive, finishing the year with 102 combine tackles and five passes defended.

Unfortunately their is a surplus in the linebacker room for San Francisco, especially after the team re-signed Dre Greenlaw midseason.

Expected to get a deal similar to Moseley, it’s probably time for the 2019 undrafted LB to look for greener pastures in the league. And they’ll be interest elsewhere as well, including the Houston Texans and former 49ers’ defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.

Follow @AmilianoFragoso

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