San Francisco 49ers: Nnamdi Asomugha and 5 Free Agents Harbaugh Should Consider

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Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers still have some holes to fill as the season opener looms ahead.

The team was able to address their pass-rush and quarterbacking needs in the draft, but still have room to improve across the board.

Here are five free agents the 49ers should consider signing before the start of the season.

OLB Thomas Davis

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After having a career year in 2008, Thomas Davis missed most of 2009 and all of 2010 with a torn ACL that he re-injured shortly during recovery. 

Thomas enters 2011 as a bit of a wild card—at 28 years old he is still very much in his prime, but it's hard to gauge how much his time off would have hurt his play.

The Panthers have expressed interest in re-signing him, but San Francisco could conceivably swoop in and steal him for relatively cheap. 

A veteran like Thomas could really beef up the 49ers linebacking core. He could provide insurance in the event that Aldon Smith needs more time to develop.

RB Darren Sproles

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A change-of-pace back like Darren Sproles would greatly help the 49ers offense.

Thanks to Mike Singletary's "hit 'em in the mouth" philosophy, Jim Harbaugh inherited a squad that doesn't feature any nimble tailbacks who can keep the defense honest.

Darren Sproles can be a quick fix this year if fourth-round pick Kendall Hunter doesn't pan out.

QB Marc Bulger

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Marc Bulger isn't going to be the difference maker for the 49ers, but he could be a useful veteran on the bench.

All signs indicate that Alex Smith will be back under center for San Francisco in 2011, with rookie Colin Kaepernick waiting in the wings.

Smith hasn't exactly had the most successful NFL career, and will have to spend the majority of his time and effort finding a way to salvage his tenure in San Francisco. He will be of little use to Kaepernick as a mentor.

Bulger, a two-time Pro Bowler, could provide the knowledge that Kaepernick needs to be a successful NFL QB for years to come.

He also would provide a security blanket in the off chance a slew of injuries forces the 49ers to play their No. 3 QB.

WR Santana Moss

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A wide receiver tandem of Michael Crabtree and Santana Moss would be lethal in Jim Harbaugh's West Coast Offense.

Moss runs sharp routes, is quick and has terrific big-play ability—three ideal qualities of a West Coast wide receiver.

He has eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark four times in his 10-year career, including twice in his past three seasons.

Unfortunately, Moss looks poised to re-sign with Washington. But Harbaugh should still try to lure the explosive wideout to San Francisco.

CB Nnamdi Asomugha

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Nnamdi Asomugha would be the perfect free agent signing for the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers failed to sufficiently address their secondary issues in the draft, waiting until the third round to select Chris Culliver.

Culliver should be a solid corner in a couple years, but is unlikely to make an impact in 2011.

That San Francisco was willing to take on a developmental pick means that GM Trent Baalke might have his eye on some free agent defensive backs, most notably the Raider standout.

Asomugha attended Cal and has played his whole career in Oakland. As a premier free agent who can choose his destination, he very well may decide that he likes the Bay Area and wants to hang around.

If that's the case, then San Francisco will be waiting with open arms.