Here's a list of 2009 free agents the 49ers should look at signing:
The first position the 49ers need help with is wide receiver. It's been a problem for many years.
1. Antonio Bryant
This may be wishful thinking but bringing back Bryant could be a start. He could replace Isaac Bruce, if the 49ers chose not to resign him.
Bryant really made a name for himself as the best weapon at receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last year, he caught 83 passes for 1248 yards and seven touchdowns.
The plus side, for Bryant, is he will only be 28 years old.
2. T.J. Houshmanzadeh
It's pretty self explanatory as to why the 49ers should go after him.
I believe he'll be leaving the Bengals, while Chad Johnson stays on. He's the best wide receiver option out there. The only problem is he may cost too much.
Last year was considered a down year for him, considering the Bengals had an injury to Carson Palmer and there was no other quarterback with any starting experience.
He's also about four years older than Bryant.
Houshmanzadeh did catch 92 passes but for only 904 yards and four touchdowns.
3. Bobby Engram
He's the oldest one to look at—almost 36 years old.
He's a veteran who could help out the younger receivers like Jason Hill and Josh Morgan. He's coming off a down year due to injuries. But, the previous year, he did catch 94 passes.
He would more than likely be third receiver for the 49ers—not a number one like Bryant or Houshmanzadeh. Engram caught 47 passes for 489 yards, and he didn't have a touchdown.
4. Bryant Johnson
The only other option would be bringing back Johnson, who was with 49ers last year. He will be 28 next year, so he is younger, and caught 45 passes for 546 yards and three touchdowns.
5. Shaun McDonald
The 49ers might show interest in McDonald.
He had a down year in comparison to his previous year, but that can be explained when you're on the Detroit Lions. He only caught 33 passes for 332 yards and scored one touchdown.
The 49ers, more than likely, will look to the draft, if they are unable to sign a free agent wide receiver. They could always bring back Isaac Bruce, who had the most receiving yards in a season since Terrell Owens.
The next position is offensive line, which has been a disaster for as long as the receivers have been missing.
1. Eric Heitmann
The first option on the list would be to re-sign Heitmann, who's been playing center recently, and move him back to his natural position of left guard and draft a player like Alex Mack in the first round to play center.
2. Jon Stinchcomb
Stinchcomb is a 6'5", 302 pound, right tackle who the 49ers could look at signing. He's an unrestricted free agent from the New Orleans Saints.
3. Kirk Chambers
Chambers, who's a 6'7", 307 pound, tackle. He could be signed as a back up and could move into the starting line-up. He's also a local product, after being drafted out of Stanford in 2004. So, he's relatively young.
4. Willie Colon
5 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Razi Syed 6 months ago
Tommie Harris signed a 4-40 M before the season started lol, i live in chicago so i would know because they had the breaking news everywhere haha
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West Coast Bias 6 months ago
You know, it seems everyone thinks the 49ers should target a WR. It's the same story every year. Why not keep Johnson and Battle along with Hill and Morgan and let the QBs have some targets they're used for once?
I'd rather see them go after a safety or an offensive lineman (which I know you mentioned) than spend big money on yet another wide receiver. Just my opinion. Good article though.
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Steven Resnick 6 months ago
That's a good idea too, but how effective would Gore be if he was able to have a receiver like T.J. Houshmanzadeh in the lineup? I'm going to write one similar but it's going to be at players who the 49ers should draft.
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Bruce Bailey 6 months ago
I would pass on a WR - maybe engram if hes cheap just to mentor the young guys and thats only if bruce retires. Most of the defenseive line prospects are built for the 4-3 or way to expensive so i would wait till round 3 of the draft for that position need. Also, we ranked 3rd in the nfl in total pass yards allowed per game so that tells me the only thing I want to see change out of the secondary next year is INT's so I would pick up at least a decent ball hawking safety. Other than that I would love to see the 49ers go after Suggs or Lewis if either of the skip away from the Ravens. I would not argue with dunta robinson as he is still a young CB who before injury was playing at a very high level. And last but not least I would draft a project QB and a lot of O-Line depth maybe even a new starter at RT.
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Thrashard 340 6 months ago
Wow. This is quite a wish list. Just like last year, WR will not be a top need. The Niners got good production out of Isaac Bruce (over 1,000 yards) and Bruce wil be counted on to lead the WR's this year. Bruce has been a vocal leader in the locker room. He has been critical to the development of youngsters Jason Hill and Josh Morgan. The 49ers perceive that they have a solid foundation in Bruce, Hill, Morgan and Arnaz Battle going into next season. Out of the the WR's you listed above, Bryant Johnson has the biggest chance of returning to the team. He likes working with WR coach Jerry Sullivan. Also, Johnson may garner only little free agent interest due to his off year. There would be no value in adding Engram. Bruce helps out the young guys. I believe the Bucs will try hard to resign Antonio Bryant.
I agree that Heitmann should be signed to extension. But I think he is best served at center. Top centers are hard to come by and Heitmann is one of the most under rated in the league. I would like to see the team pursue a tackle such as Jordan Gross or Vernon Carey. RT is more of an immediate need.
After signing Clements to $80 million 2 seasons ago, the Niners will unlikely pursue Asomugha. Rumor has it that Al Davis will franchise him too. The corners are in good shape. And recently, the Niners have done well drafting CB talent in the middle rounds (Shawntae Spencer 3rd rd, Tarell Brown 5th rd).
The challenge to finding a pass rusher is to find one that can play in the type of defense that Singletary runs. The Ravens play the exact same style of defense making Terrell Suggs a perfect fit. However, Suggs is likely to be franchised. Singletary has not mentioned the need to upgrade defensive line making Haynesworth unlikely. Peppers and Kearse are true 4-3 ends and may not function well in the 49ers scheme.
I like Safety Mike Brown. But he hasn't been healthy enough to warrant justification. The other prospects that you mentioned would not be considered an upgrade over Roman. Hopefully, Mays will fall to the Niners in the draft.
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