With the NFL Draft less than a month away, free agency in the NFL has ground to a halt. There are still impact players available if the San Francisco 49ers are interested(Joey Bosa, anyone?), but the urgency for organizations and players has slowed considerably.
Following the draft, the writing on the wall gets bigger for certain players on rosters, and rookies push veterans out of their roles. Some rookies are in a position to immediately take over spots before training camp, given the draft investment. Some take over when pads start popping in the summer, and some become obvious due to the number of players at the position.
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So what about the 49ers? It seems as if they are done before the draft, but are there some potential moves after the draft?
Adding a veteran EDGE rusher
The 49ers should be in the business of doubling up at EDGE in the draft. Not one person has ever said: You have too many effective options at EDGE. With the retirement of Bryce Huff, the 49ers have Nick Bosa as their primary EDGE with a few options opposite him who are flexible to play inside and out, like Mykel Williams and Keion White.
One of the 49ers’ first two picks is surely going towards a pass rusher. Filling out the defensive line should include adding a cheap, veteran EDGE presence. Look for the 49ers to add someone like Haason Reddick, Derek Barnett, or even a reunion with Leonard Floyd, who played for Raheem Morris in Atlanta last season.
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None of the additions following the draft are super impactful players, but adding a veteran fills out the defensive line collective and gives the 49ers a cheap, reliable veteran.
Trading for Jessie Bates
While this might happen on draft day, the 49ers should absolutely give the Falcons a call about the 29-year-old safety, who is still very effective. The goal should be to grab a safety in the draft (Emmanuel McNeil-Warren?) and groom him for the position, but if the Niners can’t get one in the draft, adding Jessie Bates on a one-year deal is as solid as it gets.
Sending a fourth-round pick for Bates on draft day is an absolute win. Atlanta has added a safety signaling Bates’ time coming to an end, and he will be a free agent next season, so they may be motivated to recoup draft capital for the former Bengal.
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Adding a veteran RB
Think back to last season. Washington was ready to cut bait with Brian Robinson Jr in favor of their new rookie running back, and the 49ers sent a sixth-round pick for the bruising running back. Ideally, investing in a running back should come late in the draft, but again, once rookie camp starts, and reports start flying about the odd man out for teams, the 49ers need to add another running back.
Look, I’m sure you’re excited about Jordan James, but a couple of garbage-time carries in the divisional round hardly make him a certainty to back up Christian McCaffrey. The list of veteran free agent running backs available doesn’t inspire excitement, but a new name will emerge before the season, and the 49ers should act. Perhaps, the answer is an UDFA? Either way, the 49ers can’t go into the season with McCaffrey, Patrick Taylor, Jr, Jordan James, and Isaac Guerendo.
For a larger discussion, please check out the video below:
