Five defensive free agents the 49ers should be interested in this offseason
Feb 16, 2023, 11:25 AM
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive tackle Daron Payne #94 of the Washington Commanders reacts after recording a safety during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on September 25, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers head into the offseason after another heartbreaking loss in the NFC Championship for the second year in a row. Now hoping to bounce back in 2023, a few tough personnel decisions will need to be made sooner than later.
Projected to have $13 to $17 million in cap space this spring, the 49ers’ front office will need to be creative with their spending. And with a looming Nick Bosa contract extension on the horizon, some tough goodbyes are likely in the cards.
Regardless, the Red & Gold will find a way to shore up their weaknesses once again, feeling as though they are only a piece or two away from a championship.
Here are five free agents on defense that could help in the push for title No.6 next season.
DT Daron Payne
Previous Contract: 4-years, $14.418 million
Previous Team: Washington Commanders
The 49ers’ 2022 defense was an elite unit, but it had one flaw: Run defense.
San Francisco got exposed up the gut in the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Getting thrashed for 148 yards on the ground in a blowout loss, the 49ers will need to bolster the interior of their D-Line this offseason.
That could be immediately fixed with defensive tackle Daron Payne.
Payne has been an elite run stuffer his entire career, having 54 0r more combined tackles for four straight seasons. Here are his stats for 2022:
- 64 Combined Tackles
- 11.5 Sacks
- 20 QB Hits
- 5 Passes Defended
Earning his first Pro Bowl honors this past season, Payne has wrecked havoc on the NFL. Now heading into age 26, Payne should be entering the peak of his powers for the next few seasons.
It’ll cost the 49ers though.
Looking to make $10-$15 million a year, the Red & Gold will need to make some room if they want to add the Alabama alum. While unlikely, general manager John Lynch and the front office could do some restructuring of current deals to make the salary cap numbers work.
It’s a swing for the fences move. But after the investment they made into cornerback Charvarius Ward last offseason, it’s possibly the Red & Gold address another big need on defense this spring too.
DT Shy Tuttle
Previous Contract: 1-year, $2.43 million
Previous Team: New Orleans Saints
If a Daron Payne deal doesn’t materialize, perhaps the 49ers could look at cheaper alternatives on the defensive interior. DT Shy Tuttle fits the bill.
Tuttle, 27, has also been a wrecking ball for the Saints, producing almost 50 combined tackles each of the last two seasons. The Tennessee alum has also been able to stay on the field, active in all 34 contests the last two years. Add in two sacks and five PDs in 2022, there’s nothing Shy about Mr. Tuttle when he’s in the trenches.
Unlike Payne, he won’t cost San Francisco as much, hoping to snag him in the four-to-eight million dollar range annually. Opting for a long or short-term deal will be up to the player, but the 49ers should have their sights set on beefing up the defensive line with consistent run stuffers like Tuttle.
DE William Gholston
Previous Contract: 1-year, $4.5 million
Previous Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last season showed San Francisco how important it is to surround Nick Bosa with quality edge rushers. Defensive ends Samson Ebukam and Charles Omenihu were great in supporting role, racking up 9.5 sacks in 2022 for the Red & Gold. But with both players heading to free agency, the 49ers will need to do some reinvesting at the position.
DE William Gholston would be a great start.
The longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneer has been a consistent headache for opposing teams for years, totaling 401 combined tackles and 77 QB hits in ten NFL seasons. A Super Bowl winner, Gholston would be a great addition for the 49ers because of his experience.
The problem for the almost 32-year-old pass rusher is production recently. Last season was the first time Gholston didn’t record a sack since 2017. But he did reach 49 combined tackles, the most since 2016.
Pointing being is that his lack of sacks could hinger him act the negotiating table this offseason. But that should only help San Francisco, possibly locking him down on a one-year “prove it” contract for 2023.
DB P.J. Williams
Previous Contract: 1-years, $2.385 million
Previous Team: New Orleans Saints
With the versatile Jimmie Ward likely leaving the Bay this offseason, Kyle Shanahan will need to find a replacement for his defensive Swiss army knife. A player like defensive back P.J. Williams comes to mind.
Williams, 29, has mainly played cornerback for the Saints, but easily slide all across the field on sub-packages. Able to play in the slot, or in the secondary as a safety, Williams can make Steve Wilks’ job that much easier thanks to his versatility.
2022 wasn’t the best example of Williams’ play, finishing the year with only 26 combined tackles and two PDs in 11 games. If San Francisco does go after him, they’ll be hoping for his 2021 production: 42 combined tackles, five INTs, one TD and five PDs in 16 contests.
Likely getting him at a discount rate, the Red & Gold should take a chance on a former stud tackler that can play across the board in Wilks’ defense.
S Duron Harmon
Previous Contract: 1-year, $1.272 million
Previous Team: Las Vegas Raiders
Another secondary replacement for San Francisco if Ward walks, (or Tashaun Gipson retires) is safety Duron Harmon.
Harmon had one of the best seasons of his career in 2022, registering 86 combined tackles, two INTs, two forced fumbles and five PDs. Safe to say, he was one of the few brights spots on the Raiders’ defense last season.
Noe entering his age 32 season, the former Patriot should be looking to join a contending team with the hopes of adding a fourth Super Bowl ring to his name. The 49ers can do just that for him.
Nicknamed “The Closer”, Harmon can be a lockdown safety next to Talanoa Hufanga in 2023, allowing him to blitz the backfield more often. Shanahan has shown a willingness to add guys that can tackle in the open field and harmon does exactly that. Plus, his postseason experience is always a welcome sight for a younger defensive group like the 49ers.
Hoping to get him for four-to-five million a year, San Francisco should look Harmon’s way if Gipson does move on from football this spring.
