The 49ers aren’t likely to be major players in free agency. That’s partly because they won’t have a bunch of money to shell out big deals, but they’re also in a place where in most cases they’d be better suited adding to the fringes of their roster rather than trying to find a high-priced starter.
There are a handful of new players on the market thanks to recent releases by NFL teams who could help the 49ers on both sides of the ball. Here are six players new to the free agent market who would make sense for San Francisco to sign:
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
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Ogbah has seen his role on the Dolphins’ defensive line dwindle the last couple seasons. He played just 286 snaps last season in 15 games, but he still managed to produced 20 pressures and six sacks according to Pro Football Focus. The 49ers badly need quality pass rush depth on the edge and Ogbah has shown he can thrive in a rotational role. At 6-4, 278 pounds he might also have some untapped inside-outside versatility that the 49ers love to utilize in their defensive linemen.
OL Laken Tomlinson
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We wrote about Tomlinson when he first got released. His familiarity with the 49ers’ offense makes him a logical fit, but there is a question about whether he or Aaron Banks would be able to flip to right guard. San Francisco needs more quality on their offensive front and Tomlinson was a Pro Bowler during his time with the 49ers. Adding offensive line help is a must this offseason for the 49ers and there may not be a better fit for them than this.
CB Darious Williams
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There’s plenty of familiarity between the 49ers and Williams after he spent his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. His release was a money-saving move for Jacksonville more than it was a problem with his performance. Williams is still a quality outside cornerback who would immediately slot in as a starter for San Francisco. The problem is Williams could get a contract beyond what the 49ers are willing to pay, but it’s enough of a question mark position that finding a starter in the free agent market would make a lot of sense.
TE Will Dissly
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The 49ers tight end room needs some help. They only have George Kittle and 2023 rookies Cameron Latu and Brayden Willis under contract for next season. Free agent Charlie Woerner is an option to re-sign, but Dissly is an intriguing candidate because he offers a little more pass-catching ability than Woerner. Dissly in six seasons with the Seahawks posted 127 catches for 1,421 yards and 13 touchdowns. That’s far more significant than Woerner’s 11 catches for 120 yards in four years with San Francisco. Dissly is a capable blocking tight end who would give the 49ers an additional pass-catching threat in multiple tight end sets. That’s something they haven’t been able to find behind Kittle.
QB Mitchell Trubisky
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The 49ers need a backup QB and it’s hard to believe Trubisky would break the bank. It’s not that he’s necessarily the best player to sit behind Brock Purdy. It’s just that Trubisky is now familiar with how to navigate a backup role and he’s capable enough to win a game or two if Purdy’s not available.
UPDATE:
Trubisky is signing with the Bills.
“S” Jamal Adams
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Dre Greenlaw’s Achilles injury could force him to miss significant time in the 2024 campaign. Adding an additional linebacker to potentially fill in as a starter alongside Fred Warner may be a necessity for San Francisco since they have so much inexperience at that position. Adams is listed as a safety, but he played all over the field for the Seahawks. His skills at this point may be best suited as a linebacker who can cover in short areas while also bringing his pass rushing skills to the second level for San Francisco. Adams may not want to undergo a position change, which obviously matters here. He’s ostensibly a linebacker at this point though so he should just dive all the way in.
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