2009 San Francisco 49ers' Free Agent Options

Steven Resnick by Senior Writer Written on January 06, 2009
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3. Jarrad Page

Page quite possibly could be considered the best prospect for the 49ers as a free agent.

He's young, only 25 years old, and he had 84 tackles last year and four interceptions.

4. Sean Considine

Considine would also be a good fit. He's going to be 28.

He was more of a special teams player for the Philadelphia Eagles, but in 2006, he did show that he could play the strong safety position. He had 86 tackles, one interception, and 1.5 sacks. 

Again, the 49ers could address this need with the draft, especially if Taylor Mays is available.

 

With Walt Harris getting older and soon needing to be replaced, there are definitely intriguing options at cornerback. 

1. Nnamdi Asomugha

There's plenty of reasons why Asomugha would love to come to the 49ers.

First off, it gets him away from the Oakland Raiders and gives him a fresh start. He's a local product out Cal as well. Right now, Asomugha has become one of the most feared cornerbacks in the league. 

2. Phillip Buchannon

Buchannon, of the Buccaneers, would also be one to consider.

He's a solid corner in the league with two interceptions last year—one was returned for a touchdown. 

3. Dunta Robinson

Robinson would be another option.

He played for the Texans, but he does have some injury concerns. However, he had 38 tackles and two interceptions in just 11 games. 

4. Cortland Finnegan

Courtland really came on strong this past year, and he's going to get paid.

He may be the most intriguing corner in the league. For the year, he had 60 tackles, five interceptions, including one returned 99 yards for a touchdown, and one sack. 

The pass defense is the 49ers' weakest area. It would help to get a younger corner to eventually replace Harris. Any of the four corners on this list would be an upgrade. However, I don't think this is a position that they can upgraded by the draft. 

 

The next area of need for the 49ers would be the defensive line, which has quite possibly been the worst part of the 49ers recently.

Justin Smith finally came out and became the player that he was thought to be, when he signed his six-year contract last year.

Here are my choices for the defensive line.

1. Jevon Kearse

Kearse could easily become the best pass rusher to come to the 49ers in a long time—not since Andre Carter was around causing havoc in the backfield.

The only problem is that his sacks have declined. He's had only 3.5 sacks in the last two years. 

2. Albert Haynesworth

Haynesworth definitely would upgrade the defensive line for the 49ers.

The only problem would be the amount of money that he would want as a free agent, considering he's, quite possibly, the best free agent defensive tackle.

He had 51 tackles and 8.5 sacks last year, which would definitely help the 49ers pass rush. 

3. Julius Peppers

Peppers would be another upgrade, much more so than Kearse would be.

He had 14.5 sacks last year. The 49ers would immediately get a boost with him at defensive end.

The only problem, just like Haynseworth, is that he's going to command a lot of money.

Are the 49ers' owners willing to fork over the cash? 

4. Kenechi Udeze

Udeze may be the cheapest player out of the bunch.

He played for the Vikings, and he managed five sacks and 47 tackles. 

Considering the defensive line, I would say that the 49ers definitely need to try to land one of these players.

Yes, drafting a defensive end or tackle would help, but the 49ers need someone with a  proven track record who could start right away. 

 

The last area of need that the 49ers should consider free agent signing as an option for would be the tight end position.

No I'm not talking about someone to replace Vernon Davis, but someone who's been around a while and, is no doubt, the best tight end in NFL history.

He's also a local product out of Cal. If you haven't guessed it already, that would be Tony Gonzalez. 

 

There's not really many options as far as quarterbacks are concerned, except for Matt Cassell, an acquisition that could happen in a possible sign and trade deal. But, I don't think the 49ers necessarily need Cassell, considering what Hill has shown that he can do. 

The only other option that I could possibly see the 49ers making is bringing back Jeff Garcia, if he's not re-signed by the Buccaneers. It would beneficial to the 49ers with his relationship with Antonio Bryant.

 

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written on January 06, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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