The San Francisco 49ers are getting ready for a number of significant offseason activities that will eventually determine who plays for the team in 2024. When it comes to bringing outstanding college players to The Bay, the 49ers use the NFL Scouting Combine and the NFL Draft, while the league’s free agency period, which starts in mid-March, is all about locating the best players currently available to bolster San Francisco’s roster.
Every team’s roster changes from year to year, but one thing always remains the same: they never do. With the acquisition of 13 free agents and the subsequent dismissal of cornerback Isaiah Oliver, the 49ers have already started to make roster changes. As the offseason progresses, more challenging and calculated decisions will need to be made, many of which will involve players from the previous campaign who are about to become free agents.
Seven players from the 49ers Super Bowl LVIII squad were included in Pro Football Focus’ list of the “Top 200 Players Set to Enter Free Agency.”According to PFF writer Brad Spielberger, these seven players are broken down along with recent free agent comparisons.
Defensive lineman Chase Young is ranked No. 29.
Young was acquired during the trade deadline with the Washington Commanders, midway through the season. In Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he made his 49ers debut. He went on to play in 12 games, including the postseason. Young had a huge impact in Super Bowl LVIII, accumulating eight total tackles (two for loss) and one sack.
After rehabbing from an ACL tear for the greater part of two seasons, Young was finally healthy in 2023. He had an incredible season, ranking among the best edge defenders in terms of pass-rush win percentage. Although Young was a solid rookie run defender who occasionally lost his composure and was guided upfield beyond the play, his half-season under defensive line coach Kris Kocurek in San Francisco was the best preparation for free agency available.”
Comparing free agents: Brian Orakpo (2014)
– Defensive tackle, number 100Kinlaw, Javon
Kinlaw, who was selected in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft, is entering his fifth season in the league. Kinlaw had a career-best season in 2023, playing in all 17 regular season games (six starts), two postseason games, and San Francisco’s Super Bowl LVIII. During the first 17 games of the season, the defensive lineman recorded a career-high 3.5 sacks and 25 total tackles, playing a vital role as a depth player in the 49ers’ trenches.
“He has produced a 70.3 pass-rush grade and 31 total pressures in 2023, career-high marks by a distance, and he is showing his bursty first step and bull-rush prowess once he leans into a blocker with momentum.”
Comparing free agents: Jordan Phillips in 2019
Oren Burks, linebacker, No. 113
After the 2021 season ended, Burks became a free agent and was signed by the 49ers. Following Azeez Al-Shaair’s free agency departure, Burks joined a linebacker corps coached by Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw after four seasons with the Green Bay Packers. In his second season, Burks played a bigger role. In 2023, Burks not only contributed his seasoned special teams knowledge to The Bay, but he also had his best statistical season to date. Throughout the regular season, he recorded 46 total tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery.
“Burks will always carry special teams value, which should establish a higher floor for him contractually, in line with recently signed linebackers Zaire Franklin and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, among others.”
Comparing free agents: Zaire Franklin, 2022
138 – Safety – Tashaun Gipson Sr.
Gipson Sr. joined the 49ers’ practice squad in late August of 2022 after the secondary suffered a setback at the end of the preseason. In a couple of weeks, the seasoned safety jumped from the practice squad to the starting lineup, where he has been for the past two seasons, sharing the field with both Ji’Ayir Brown and Talanoa Hufanga. Following his 2022 season as the team’s leader in interceptions, Gipson Sr. was re-signed by the 49ers for a one-year contract.
“The reliable veteran was a staple as the deep-third free safety in San Francisco’s defence the past few years, keeping everything in front of him and making plays on the ball on the infrequent instances when he was targeted.”
Comparing free agents: Mike Adams, 2015
Jon Feliciano, an offensive lineman, is number 154.
After being brought on as a swing offensive lineman, Feliciano earned a starting position at right guard after the Bye. Feliciano signed a one-year contract with the 49ers last summer. The nine-year veteran played for the 49ers in 16 regular season games and all three postseason games. Throughout the regular season, Feliciano gave up just one sack and 339 pass-blocking opportunities.
Graham Glasgow, free agent comparative analysis, 2023
Kevin Givens, No. 160, is a defensive lineman.
Givens has spent his whole five-year NFL career with San Francisco, having joined the league as an undrafted free agent in 2019. The seasoned defensive lineman gives depth on the inside of San Francisco’s D-line and is a vital rotational player for the 49ers. In 2023, he had 1.5 sacks, 22 total tackles, a pass defence, and a fumble recovery.
Comparing free agents: Akeem Spence, 2017
Clelin Ferrell, a defensive lineman, is number 167.
Prior to the 2023 season, Ferrell signed a one-year contract with San Francisco, where he spent the majority of the season playing opposite Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nick Bosa. There, he was quite successful, recording 17 games throughout the regular season with 28 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass defensed. Due to a knee injury, Ferrell missed the entire 49ers postseason run and was placed on the Injured Reserve list at the end of the season.
Comparing free agents: Tyquan Lewis, 2022
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