Buying or Selling Latest Free-Agent Buzz Surrounding San Francisco 49ers

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It's been a quiet couple of weeks for the San Francisco 49ers since losing Super Bowl XLVII.

But it won't be long before the free-agent fireworks go off. 

With the 2013 season officially kicking off on March 12, general manager Trent Baalke must start making tough decisions on San Francisco's free agents. 

Among those dilemmas will be whether to re-sign Dashon Goldson and Delanie Walker.

In the following slides, I will give my predictions for some of San Francisco's most pressing offseason questions.

Will 49ers Use Franchise Tag on Dashon Goldson?

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As Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News wrote, the 49ers have a two-week window to franchise Goldson before he becomes a free agent. 

Goldson is already on record saying he deserves a long-term deal (via The Sacramento Bee), and Jim Harbaugh wants him back.

At 28 years of age, Goldson should be just entering his prime. The 49ers need long-term security at the safety position with Donte Whitner scheduled to be a free agent after the 2013 season.

Although I fully expect the 49ers to sign Goldson to a long-term deal, I'm selling that they'll use the tag on him.

Verdict: SELL

Will 49ers Keep Delanie Walker?

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Walker had some crucial drops in 2012, but his versatility on offense and special teams play were very valuable.

That's why ESPN's Mike Sando wrote that he expects the 49ers to re-sign him.

San Francisco's offense is one of the most complex in the league. Having guys who know the ins and outs is essential to its success.

This should help Walker at the negotiating table. 

Expect the 49ers to give the tight end a hefty raise from his $1.045 million base salary in 2012. 

Verdict: BUY

Will 49ers Re-Sign Isaac Sopoaga?

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NFL Network's Mike Mayock said there's a lot of depth at defensive line in the 2013 NFL draft (via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle).

With that in mind, I expect the 49ers to use a pick on a talented defensive lineman and let Isaac Sopoaga walk. 

The 31-year-old nose tackle is a proven run-stuffer, but San Francisco doesn't have the money to spend on a veteran who doesn't fit into its nickel defense.

Verdict: SELL

Will Randy Moss Be a Niner in 2013?

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Randy Moss is a tough guy to read.

Who knows what he'll say next, let alone if and where he'll play next year.

Still, Bay Area Sports Guy broke down the Moss predicament, ultimately guessing that Moss will be a Niner in 2013.

If the 49ers could guarantee that A.J. Jenkins will emerge as a big-time threat next year, they'd have no reason to bring Moss back.

However, assuming that doesn't happen, Trent Baalke might want to bring Moss back on another one-year deal.

Verdict: BUY

Will 49ers Find a Trade Partner for Alex Smith?

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Although Alex Smith is not a free agent, what the 49ers decide to do with him will have an impact on their free-agency period.

Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey told the Kansas City Star that there is no clear-cut first-round quarterback prospect in this year's NFL draft (h/t Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee).

That's great news for Smith. 

The Chiefs, who reportedly like Smith, or another quarterback-needy team (Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns to name a few) will offer at least a midround pick for the San Francisco quarterback. 

If two teams get into a bidding war, the 49ers might end up with a third-round pick or better.

Verdict: BUY