Five offensive free agents the 49ers should be interested in this offseason
Feb 15, 2023, 2:10 PM | Updated: 2:25 pm
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 21: Jake Brendel #64 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks during the first half of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Estadio Azteca on November 21, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/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 that could help in the push for title No.6 next season.
RT Jawaan Taylor
Previous Contract: 4-years, $7.823 million
Previous Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Coming away from the 2022 season, the 49ers have to address their offensive line issues, specifically at right tackle.
Mike McGlinchey has held down that spot since being drafted in 2018. But after producing inconsistent results last year, the 49ers may be looking for an alternative at a cheaper rate.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars’ RT Jawaan Taylor may be the answer.
The Florida Gator has been a pillar of consistency since joining the NFL, featuring in every contest since 2019. Only 25 years old, Taylor can be seen as a work-in-progress project for run-game coordinator Chris Forester, only receiving a 58.7 rating by Pro Football Focus. For reference, McGlinchey received a 71.5 PFF rating.
The numbers for 49ers fans should be interested in, however, is sacks and penalties.
In 2022, Taylor produced only seven penalties and five sacks allowed. McGlinchey: 10 penalties (eighth-most in the NFL) and six sacks allowed. Taylor will also cost San Francisco way less than their former tackle, projected to make four to six million annually with his next deal. Meanwhile, McGlinchey will c command a salary north of $10 million annually (probably).
With SF’s cap issues, Taylor would make a fine replacement for the 49ers next season, hoping he can grow with the young core of linemen on the roster.
T Andre Dillard
Previous Contract: 4-years, $12.37 million
Previous Team: Philadelphia Eagles
This is another alternative for the Red & Gold if McGlinchey moves on this offseason, former first-round pick Andre Dillard.
The Washington State alum has largely been a bust since entering the NFL, only featuring in five percent of the offensive snaps for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022. He only suited up for 12 contests last season as well.
So why should the 49ers sign him if he hasn’t played? Simple: Potential
Only 27 years old, Dillard can hopefully recapture some of that offensive line prowess that made him a first-round selection in 2019. It’s also worth noting that he finished 2022 with 67.9 PFF rating, almost ten points higher than Taylor.
It’ll be a risk for sure, but Dillard will look to obtain a shorter-term deal to prove his worth in the NFL. That means it could only cost SF two to three million to bring him to the Bay.
And if the 49ers feel that swing tackle Colton McKivitiz can fill the starter role in 2023, adding another swing tackle that can fit across the line would be very smart business this spring.
C Jake Brendel
Previous Contract: 1-year, $1.035 million
Previous Team: San Francisco 49ers
When Alex Mack retired following the 2021 season, many expected the center position to suffer for the 49ers. Then Jake Brendel emerged.
The journeyman center seems to have found a home in San Francisco, producing his best season as a pro with a 64.9 PFF rating in 2022. A player highly-rated in the locker room as well, the 30-year-old is hoping to remain a 49er after the offseason.
“It’s been an uphill battle, starting from me being undrafted to a few injuries early in my career,” Brendel told NBC Sports Bay Area. “Those things are in the past. I truthfully feel like my career is just starting right now.”
He’s right about that, featuring in 98% of the offensive snaps for the 49ers last season.
The problem with Brendel was the penalties, producing a league-leading 12 last season for centers. He’ll need to work on that over the offseason if he is to remain a starting center in the NFL.
But given the lack of production dip from one player to another and the organization’s fondness for Brendel, the 49ers should be able to reach a two-to-three-year deal with the center. Hoping to keep a fairly low salary as well, there should be no change with the offensive snapper in 2023.
QB Gardner Minshew
Previous Contract: 4-years, $2.71 million
Previous Team: Philadelphia Eagles
The 49ers will be looking to add a veteran quarterback this spring, there’s no doubt about it. The key though is finding one that will provide good depth, but won’t interfere with the two QBs of the future.
Enter Gardner Minshew.
“Minshew-Mania” served as a quality backup to Jalen Hurts the last two seasons, playing in five games in 2022. Filling in when Hurts injured his shoulder, Minshew holds a 0-2 record as the starter last season. But the stats tell a different story, throwing for 663 passing yards, three TDs and three INTs. Not great numbers albeit, but he did possess a 83.4 QB rating in 2022.
The point being: If he has to play, he’ll be fine in a pinch and that’s all the 49ers are looking for in a veteran arm.
QB Case Keenum
Previous Contract: 3-years, $18 million
Previous Team: Buffalo Bills
A backup to Josh Allen in 2022, Case Keenum will always be remembered for leading the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship in 2017. Since then, he’s bounced around the league, leading in Denver, Washington D.C. and Cleveland before his Buffalo tenure.
Now turning 35, Keenum should be ring-chasing before he calls it a career. And what better place to do that than with the 49ers?
Although he hasn’t played any meaningful football since 2021, Keenum would be a welcome addition to Kyle Shanahan’s QB room, allowing him to nurture Brock Purdy and Trey Lance in 2023. And given the 49ers’ injury history, he may even play in the regular season.
If the 49ers can lock him down on a one-year deal worth about three million, that would be a good insurance plan heading into next season.
