NFL Free Agency, including Jadeveon Clowney. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)Getty Images
The San Francisco 49ers made a splash in the early days of NFL free agency, bringing in Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave on a four-year, $84 million contract.
Since then, the defending NFC West champions have lost a slew of their own free agents. These include several rotation defenders and the team’s longest-serving player, defender Jimmie Ward.
At this point in NFL free agency, San Francisco will be looking for bargain options to fill depth and need. The good news? This year’s market was packed with year-long proof-it deals for veterans who made a difference in the past.
Below, I look at four NFL free agents the San Francisco 49ers have yet to target.
The San Francisco 49ers try Jarvis Landry
49ers with depth in NFL Free Agency. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)Getty Images
These are the types of players that I expect general manager John Lynch and co. will target. Landry, a five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, is coming off an injury-plagued 2022 season with the New Orleans Saints. He caught 25 passes in nine games.
This comes after an eight-year stretch to open his career in which Landry averaged 86 receptions for 950 yards while catching 66 percent of his goals.
Even with Jauan Jennings returning, San Francisco could use another option in the slot to go on the outside with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Landry’s ability to deliver consistent aim would work well on Kyle Shanahan’s offense. It would probably come pretty damn cheap too.
49ers bring back Kwon Alexander for depth
the San Francisco 49ers. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Getty Images
Losing Azeez Al-Shaiir to the Tennessee Titans in a free hand hurts from a deep perspective behind Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner. Some believe recently re-signed Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles could fill that role. We just haven’t seen enough of him to come to that conclusion.
Sure, the 49ers will add a linebacker in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. However, it makes sense to bring in someone with a lot of experience. A full-time starter for most of his career, Alexander played in San Francisco from 2019-20. He knows the team’s defense scheme against a TT. The veteran also started in 12 games for the New York Jets a season ago. It almost makes too much sense to bring him back when the finances are working.
Shaquill Griffin gets another shot
for Shaquill Griffin. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
After losing Emmanuel Moseley and Jimmie Ward at free hand, San Francisco has tackled the slot cornerback hole. It signed the underrated Isaiah Oliver in free agency earlier this month. The 49ers also signed a defensive back from the Carolina Panthers at Myles Hartsfield who they believe can play both safety spots and the slot position.
The big hole here is on the border. From now on, youngster Deommodore Lenoir will start opposite Charvarius Ward. There’s not much behind these two on the depth chart.
Released by the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this offseason, Griffin could make sense as a cheap depth option. Before joining Jacksonville in 2021, the veteran played well during his time with division rivals Seattle Seahawks. That included Griffin recording three interceptions while earning a 62.1 completion percentage in 2020.
San Francisco 49ers hit home run with Jadeveon Clowney
the San Francisco 49ers. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
San Francisco’s second returning sack getter from a season ago is 2022 second-round pick Drake Jackson. It lost contributors like Samson Ebukam, Charles Omenihu and Jordan Willis in free hands.
It goes without saying that the 49ers will target a veteran edge guy to help out reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa. Why not risk a player in Clowney who keeps squirting despite his inconsistency?
In 2021 with the Cleveland Browns, this former No. 1 overall pick recorded 19 quarterback hits and nine sacks working across Myles Garrett. He could have a similar performance with Bosa, Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead on the 49ers defensive line.
Clowney, 30, may also need to secure a short-term deal at a bargain price to increase his value in the future. San Francisco would suit him well.
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Senior Editor at Sportsnaut, a subsidiary of Publisher Desk. Hear it on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio.
Formerly from Yahoo! Sport, Bleacher Report, Pro Football Focus and Fox Sports.
The Bay to Vegas!!!
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/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/612ef4ac36c5977322719776/0x0.jpg "Analyzing Preliminary San Francisco 49ers 53-Man Roster For 2021 NFL Season")
