San Francisco 49ers: The Top 10 Free Agents To Target
The Jim Harbaugh era for the San Francisco 49ers has begun. There is a renewed excitement and vigor surrounding the 49ers and the reason is Jim Harbaugh.
Harbaugh has already been interviewing assistant coaching candidates and we should expect some announcements over the next few days. In addition to bringing in a quality coaching staff, Jim Harbaugh and GM Trent Baalke will also need to upgrade the roster.
There are several potential free agents who could come in and make an immediate impact for the San Francisco 49ers. This article is not designed to list the best free agents out there, but more importantly, who would be the best fit for the 49ers.
The biggest weaknesses for the 49ers following the 2010 season are at quarterback, pass rusher and cornerback. Additional areas to be upgraded include wide receiver and offensive line. With these core needs in focus, let's take a look at the top 10 available names on the market that the 49ers should target.
Honorable Mention
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There are several outstanding free agents who did not make my top 10 list for the 49ers. I listed them here in the honorable mention category, because I think we would be very happy with any one of these players.
Jonathan Joseph, CB: A good cover man who would be a welcome addition to the 49ers secondary. He had six interceptions in 2009.
Tyson Clabo, OT: At 6'6" and 331 lbs, Clabo would give the 49ers a force at one of the tackle positions. This would also allow the 49ers to move Joe Staley to a guard spot or give Anthony Davis more time to hone his skills.
Vincent Jackson, WR: His 2010 holdout did not win him any friends in San Diego. Jackson averaged 64 receptions for the 2008 and 2009 seasons with over 1,000 yards each year. His acquisition would move Josh Morgan to the third receiver spot, where he is better suited.
Mathias Kiwanuka, DE: He played only four games in 2010 due to injury, but will only be 28 years old in the 2011 season. If healthy, Kiwanuka would give the Niners a strong pass-rushing presence opposite Justin Smith.
Cullen Jenkins, DE: Jenkins had seven sacks for Green Bay in 2010 and is decent against the run.
10) Ray Edwards: DE
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Ray Edwards would be an excellent fit for the 49ers at the defensive end position. He is a solid run defender and a decent pass rusher. Edwards collected eight sacks in 2010 and eight-and-a-half in 2009.
If the 49ers were able to land Ray Edwards, he would give them an ideal complement to their Pro Bowl defensive end, Justin Smith. Both players have a good work ethic and would enable the 49ers to get pressure from both the right and left side of the line.
At only 26 years old heading into the 2011 season, Edwards is also just reaching his prime and should be a force to be reckoned with for the next several years.
9) Braylon Edwards
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When Braylon Edwards came into the NFL in 2005, I was not a fan of his. He seemed to be the typical diva-type wide receiver and he also did not catch the ball very well. That perception rang true for the first three or four years of his career.
However, 2010 was a breakout season for Edwards in more ways than one. He caught 53 passes for 904 yards and seven touchdowns. More importantly, the drops became less frequent and Edwards made more impact plays.
Braylon Edwards, who will be 28 years old in February, also seemed mature as a young man. There were fewer negative incidents and far less drama revolving around Edwards this season. I believe Edwards would thrive under Jim Harbaugh and the West Coast offense. His run after the catch abilities would be enhanced in much the same way that John Taylor excelled for the 49ers under Bill Walsh.
8) Champ Bailey: CB
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Champ Bailey is one of the top cornerbacks to ever play in the NFL. He has 48 career interceptions and his veteran leadership would be a huge plus for a beleaguered 49ers secondary.
The 49ers need a major upgrade in the defensive backfield and Bailey would go a long way toward solidifying the weakest link on the defensive side of the football. He would also be able to help some of the younger players, like Taylor Mays, Reggie Smith and Tarell Brown.
Champ Bailey will be 33 years of age when the 2011 season begins. He has undoubtedly lost a step, but is still plenty fast enough to get the job done. In addition, his veteran savvy will more than make up for any physical deficiencies.
Bailey would replace Nate Clements at one cornerback spot, opposite Shawntae Spencer. This would allow the 49ers to move Clements to safety or nickel back. The other possibility is that the Niners could get rid of Clements and his big salary completely.
7) Antonio Cromartie: CB
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Antonio Cromartie is the prototypical cornerback with good size and excellent speed. At 6'2" and 210 lbs, Cromartie is both physical and fast.
Antonio Cromartie will be 27 years old when the 2011 season starts, so he's six years younger than Champ Bailey and in the prime years of his career. Cromartie and Darrelle Revis combine to give the New York Jets two outstanding cornerbacks to lead a very good pass defense for the Jets.
If the 49ers are successful in acquiring a solid cornerback, he will be slotted in to replace Nate Clements, as noted in the previous slide pertaining to Champ Bailey. In his five previous NFL seasons, Cromartie has grabbed 18 interceptions, including two brought back for touchdowns.
6) Richard Seymour: DE
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Richard Seymour has played 10 years in the NFL, eight with New England and the last two with the Oakland Raiders. Over those 10 campaigns, Seymour has averaged 14 games per year, so his durability is good, as is his productivity.
Richard Seymour had six sacks in 2010 and would provide the 49ers with the type of defensive end they covet opposite Justin Smith. Seymour is a well-respected leader for the Raiders and I think he would do the same for San Francisco.
In addition to being able to mentor some of the younger players, Richard Seymour always plays with a mean streak, something the 49ers defense has lacked in the past few years. He would be a welcome addition and would replace Isaac Sopoaga, who has not produced opposite Justin Smith.
5) Santonio Holmes: WR
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The San Francisco 49ers could use a veteran receiver and play maker to help take the pressure off of Vernon Davis. The current receiving corps has had some very strong moments, but has also been plagued by inconsistency.
Michael Crabtree has made some big plays but does not run good routes all the time and his work ethic has been questioned by his own teammates. Josh Morgan has also shown flashes of brilliance, but then curiously makes little or no effort on balls sometimes thrown where he needs to make an adjustment. Morgan is better suited to be a slot receiver, as he has good size but not blazing speed.
The third receiver, Ted Ginn Jr., has contributed as a punt and kick return specialist, but his pass receiving is quite poor. Ginn shows no desire to catch the ball in traffic and has alligator arms when over the middle.
Santonio Holmes would ideally take over as a starting wide receiver, moving Josh Morgan to the third receiver spot. In five seasons, Holmes has caught 287 passes, an average of 57 receptions per year. Holmes also has 26 touchdowns over that span.
Santonio Holmes will be 27 years old when the 2011 season begins. He is at a prime age and should be productive for several seasons. Holmes is a solid pro and would fit in nicely with Jim Harbaugh's passing attack.
4) Tamba Hali: LB
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Tamba Hali had a breakout season for the Chiefs in 2010. After a productive 2009, in which Hali had 8.5 sacks, he emerged in 2010 as one of the top pass rushers in the league, with 15 sacks.
Hali, who was born in Liberia, has played five seasons in Kansas City and displayed excellent durability. He has missed only one game over that entire five-year span.
Hali combines a powerful and fast burst off the end to get to the quarterback. He has also caused an amazing 19 fumbles over these past five years.
Tamba Hali would fill the position of pass-rushing linebacker in the 49ers' 3-4 defense. The 49ers have underachieved at this position, as Parys Haralson, Ahmad Brooks and Travis LaBoy all have not shown the type of consistency the Niners need.
Getting consistent pressure on the quarterback is crucial for the 49ers pass rushers to give their secondary some help. Tamba Hali would provide that much needed pass rush.
3) LaMarr Woodley: LB
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At 6'2" and 265 lbs, LaMarr Woodley possesses the size, speed and strength to be one of the top outside linebackers in the NFL. Like Tamba Hali, Woodley would play the pass rushing linebacker spot if the 49ers were to acquire him.
Woodley was a second round draft pick of the Steelers back in 2007. After seeing spot duty in his rookie year, Woodley emerged as a star in 2008 and hasn't looked back.
LaMarr Woodley has been a model of consistency over the past three seasons. He has amassed 35 sacks and 172 total tackles from 2008-2010.
Woodley is an outstanding pass rusher from the linebacker position and would fit perfectly in the 49ers' 3-4 defense. In addition to his pass rushing skills, Woodley has also been strong against the run.
2) Nnamdi Asomugha: CB
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Nnamdi Asomugha is one of those rare defensive backs that can be considered a shut down corner. With his nearly $17 million contract with the Raiders now voided, Asomugha becomes a free agent and would solidify the weak 49ers secondary.
Asomugha played his college ball at Cal and has played his entire professional career in Oakland. If he wants to stay in the Bay Area, a trip across the bridge to San Francisco would be a welcome sight for the 49ers faithful.
Nnamdi Asomugha has been criticized for his lack of tackling on running plays but the same criticism was aimed at Deion Sanders in his prime. The bottom line is there are few cover corners as good as Asomugha. He has the ability to shut down one side of the field and take away the top receiver from the opposition.
Asomugha's interception totals are not gaudy but that's because the opposing offenses rarely challenge him. He has also shown to be a durable player at a very demanding position, having missed only six games over his eight NFL seasons.
The 49ers have a huge need to upgrade their defensive secondary and Asomugha would give them a great shut down corner. Asomugha won't get another $17 million, but he won't be cheap. The 49ers would be wise to make the investment, as Asomugha is the type of impact player they need.
1) Michael Vick
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Michael Vick has matured as a quarterback and as a man. He seems to be over his legal troubles and has stayed on the right track since his release from prison last year. Vick has played well for the Eagles this year and was recently named the Comeback Player of the Year. Vick will also be mentioned in the MVP voting.
The San Francisco 49ers desperately need a top flight quarterback. If new coach Jim Harbaugh is able to find a good quarterback, they will have an excellent chance for a turnaround in 2011.
Michael Vick completed 233 out of 372 attempts for 3,018 yards and 21 touchdowns against only six interceptions. Vick is also an excellent runner, having rushed for 676 yards on 100 carries.
The Philadelphia Eagles will try to re-sign Vick, but he is most likely to test the free agent market. Michael Vick is in high demand and will be an expensive acquisition. If the 49ers can sign Vick, he would give their offense some dynamic play-making ability and point them in the right direction to have a big turn around in 2011.
Michael Vick is the crown jewel of the free agent class this year. Let's hope the 49ers can get him.
The 49ers Are Poised For A Playoff Run In 2011.
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This is a pivotal offseason for the San Francisco 49ers. They have already hired a GM and also the hottest head coaching candidate, Jim Harbaugh, in a decisive move to strengthen the team. The final piece of the puzzle is for them to upgrade their roster.
With no Collective Bargaining Agreement, (CBA), in place, teams must wait until an agreement is reached before they can sign any free agents. There will undoubtedly be a mad rush to sign free agents once the new CBA is completed. This puts the onus on 49ers GM Trent Baalke, as he must be ready to act quickly and decisively once a new CBA agreement is in place.
With just a few good moves and an impact draft pick at No. 7 overall, the 49ers could be one of the surprise teams in 2011.
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