The San Francisco 49ers have a number of decisions to make on some players this upcoming off season. What fans need to keep in mind is that the front office not only has to worry about players that are free-agents but also players that need extensions so that they don't hit free-agency after the 2014 season.
The list of free agents this off season includes Anquan Boldin, Donte Whitner, and Tarell Brown. But before fans start calling for Trent Baalke to resign them immediately they need to take into account the list of 2015 free agents; Colin Kaepernick, Aldon Smith, Michael Crabtree, and Mike Iupati. When you add those players into the equation it becomes obvious that the more important group is the latter. What does that mean? The 49ers have to be careful who they start shelling millions out to.
Here is my ideas on what Baalke might be considering this off season to address these players and positions.
First- There are some cuts that fans should start bracing for. Who, you ask? Whitner, Brown and Carlos Rogers. It's simple with Whitner and Brown, they can just not resign them. Drink this in for a second- Rogers will be the highest paid 49er next year at 8 million. That money is not guaranteed, which almost means that the 49ers will certainly be cutting Rogers before he counts a cent against the cap, considering his age and diminishing abilities. How will they make up for such drastic losses in the secondary? After such good returns on letting Dashon Goldson go and filling his position with a draft pick (rookie stand-out Eric Reid) I believe the 49ers will see enough talent in this draft to make the same move with Whitner. Brown and Rogers became expendable when the 49ers extended Tramaine Brock to a 4 year deal. Consider that Chris Culliver will be fully healed from a knee injury next season and you have two legit starting DB's in Brock and Culliver. If they could resign CB Eric Wright to a team friendly deal then you have you 3 DB's for the year. The 49ers could also add a high draft pick in a good class of DB's and have a solid 4th option at the position without having to spend the money on Brown and Rogers.
Second- This is going to sound crazy but trade Ahmad Brooks. You heard it here first. Sure, Brooks just made his first pro-bowl team. Yes, he's been a beast all season. But, you have to consider the variables that fans tend to overlook; Brooks will be 30 years old in '14, he counts 7.5 million against the cap, and (like Rogers) his contract is no longer guaranteed. There are two reasons why this makes sense to me. One, the 49ers set up Brooks & Rogers contracts so that they would be free of having to keep them on the roster past the '13 season, the proof is the fact that they both have their guaranteed money run out at the same time. Second, the 49ers drafted a very talented OLB last season in the third round (relatively high pick) on Corey Lemonier, and it wasn't to replace Aldon, I can promise you that. Although Lemonier might not have turned many 49ers fan's heads, he still has played very well in a very limited role, his potential is immense. The 49ers could probably find a team willing to give up a decent pick for Brook's services, and we all know how much the 49ers value draft picks.
Third- The 49ers will have to resign Anquan Boldin. As of right now I just don't see any other moves for the 49ers. Yes, I expect them to draft a WR, but you have to keep in mind that the only 2 WR's on the roster for next year are Crabtree and rookie Quinton Patton. This position is by far the most needy of any for the 49ers. Plus, rookie WR's rarely come in and make an impact in their first season. The 49ers have to make this move. The good news is that Boldin seems to be warming to the idea of ending his career in S.F. I doubt he wants to take a potential Hall of Fame career to a 4th team to close it out, and the 49ers are going to be contenders until he retires. I predict the 49ers sign him to a very similar deal to what Justin Smith got in his extension (about 2yrs $12million). This would give Boldin a chance to mentor any young WR's the 49ers draft over the next two years and help take the focus off of Crabtree.
So brace yourself 49er Faithful, all this considered the 49ers will still have trouble trying to extend the big 4 in 2015, but if they can bite the bullet on a couple guys that aren't quite out of their prime yet then the 49ers may be able to keep the superstars and fill the voids through solid draft picks which could help this team develop into a dynasty over the next 6,7,8 years.
