49ers' 2023 Free Agents, Targets and Draft Needs After NFL Playoff Loss
It's been an unexpected season for the San Francisco 49ers, who have endured losing their Nos. 1 and 2 quarterbacks and still emerged as one of the NFL's most complete teams by January.
They have relied on seventh-round draft pick and rookie quarterback Brock Purdy since Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a foot injury in Week 13. Garoppolo was in the starting lineup because 2021 first-round pick Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2.
The 49ers didn't just survive with Purdy under center. They thrived. A lot of credit has to go to head coach Kyle Shanahan for keeping the team together. Perhaps even more credit should go to general manager John Lynch for constructing a roster with few discernible weaknesses. San Francisco's midseason trade for Christian McCaffrey put the finishing touch on a team built to contend with any in the NFC.
Unfortunately for San Francisco, Purdy suffered an elbow injury early in Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and backup Josh Johnson couldn't replicate his magic before exiting with an injury of his own.
All good things must come to an end, though, and San Francisco's run made its final stop in the NFC Championship Game. Now, Lynch and Shanahan face the tough task of gearing up for another swing at the Super Bowl in 2023.
Here, we'll take a look at San Francisco's impending free agents, potential free-agent targets and draft needs heading into the start of free agency March 15.
Free Agents
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Unrestricted Free Agents
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
C Jake Brendel
OT Daniel Brunskill
TE Ross Dwelley
DE Samson Ebukam
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
S Tashaun Gipson
K Robbie Gould
DT Maurice Hurst
DE Kerry Hyder
QB Josh Johnson
TE Tyler Kroft
OT Mike McGlinchey
S Tarvarius Moore
CB Emmanuel Moseley
DE Charles Omenihu
LS Taybor Pepper
DT Hassan Ridgeway
CB Jason Verrett
S Jimmie Ward
DE Jordan Willis
Restricted/Exclusive-Rights Free Agents
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
DT Kevin Givens
WR Jauan Jennings
OT Colton McKivitz
Keeping the band together shouldn't be too much of a challenge for Lynch and Co. this offseason, but it will take some work. While the 49ers don't have many legitimate centerpieces headed to the open market, they do have several quality role players.
Safeties Jimmie Ward and Tashaun Gipson, along with linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and defensive end Samson Ebukam, made strong contributions to San Francisco's first-ranked defense in 2022.
Ebukam, who logged five sacks and 15 quarterback pressures in the regular season, is among the more underrated pass-rushers entering the open market.
Offensively, right tackle Mike McGlinchey, center Jake Brendel and versatile lineman Daniel Brunskill are likely to be the top priorities. There's a chance, though, that San Francisco will look to find a cheaper alternative to McGlinchey, who has a projected market value of $10.7 million annually.
McGlinchey has been a good starter for San Francisco but not an elite right tackle. This season, he was responsible for 10 penalties and six sacks allowed, according to Pro Football Focus.
Garoppolo is almost certainly out given the play of Purdy down the stretch. The team will likely give Lance time to improve, and Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that Purdy is expected to start in 2023.
The challenge here will be keeping players like Ward, Ebukam and kicker Robbie Gould while still having enough cap space to reload at other positions. The 49ers won't be as cash-strapped as some teams, but they're projected to have just $13.9 million in space available.
One solution could involve reworking McCaffrey's contract. He's set to carry a cap hit of $12 million in 2023 but has just $1 million in injury guarantees left on his deal. If San Francisco can convince him to trade 2023 salary for future guarantees, it could clear a considerable amount of cap space.
Potential Free-Agent/Trade Targets
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The 49ers should be set with Purdy and Lance at the top of the quarterback depth chart next season. However, the buzz surrounding Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady will likely be loud in the Bay Area.
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, the 49ers will consider free-agent veterans, specifically Brady, this offseason. Until the 45-year-old quarterback retires (again) or signs elsewhere, he'll remain on fans' radar.
Looking beyond Brady, the 49ers don't have too many glaring needs to address, though that could change if they don't retain their offensive linemen. Interior linemen like Ben Powers and Rodney Hudson would be logical targets if San Francisco looks to bolster its depth there.
With linebackers playing a large role in San Francisco's defense, it wouldn't be a shock to see the organization target a standout like Lavonte David or Deion Jones if the price is right.
San Francisco's only true need is arguably at the cornerback position. While the 49ers defense is as good as any in the NFL, the secondary has been vulnerable at times. The unit finished the regular season ranked 20th in passing yards allowed. Though, to be fair, it ranked 11th in yards per attempt allowed and logged a league-high 20 interceptions.
Bringing in a cornerback like James Bradberry or Jamel Dean would be logical if the 49ers can afford it.
Safety will also be a need if Ward and/or Gipson depart in free agency. Fortunately, several quality safeties are scheduled to be available, including C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III.
While Lynch may not execute a blockbuster trade like the McCaffrey deal, an agreement could be brokered. Baltimore Ravens safety Chuck Clark is an intriguing trade possibility if the 49ers find themselves lacking at the position.
The 27-year-old started all 17 games for Baltimore this season, but the Ravens added Marcus Williams and first-round pick Kyle Hamilton during the offseason. Clark has just one year left on his contract and would carry a 2023 cap hit of just $3.6 million after Baltimore's dead-money payout.
Draft Targets
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Can the 49ers uncover a few late-round gems like Purdy in this year's draft? That's a question fans are likely asking themselves heading into the offseason.
San Francisco doesn't have a first- or a second-round pick in 2023 because of its trades to acquire Lance and McCaffrey. The 49ers sent their third-rounder to the Carolina Panthers for McCaffrey as well, but they will still have Round 3 selections.
The 49ers received third-round compensatory picks for the New York Jets' hiring of Robert Saleh, the Washington Commanders' hiring of Martin Mayhew and the Miami Dolphins' hiring of Mike McDaniel.
They should receive another third-rounder after the Tennessee Titans hired Ron Carthon as their general manager this offseason.
These picks come via 2020 Resolution JC-2A, which was implemented to support equal employment and development opportunities for employees who belong to marginalized or historically marginalized communities and advance the league's goals of diversity, equity and inclusion:
"The employer-club of a minority employee who has been hired by another club as its Head Coach or Primary Football Executive (General Manager) shall receive Draft choice compensation in the form of a compensatory Draft pick in the third round in each of the next two Drafts for an employee hired as either a Head Coach or Primary Football Executive, or for the next three Drafts if it has two employees hired for both positions."
Though San Francisco won't select until the end of Day 2, it will still have the chance to add prospects who can contribute early. An interior line prospect like Michigan's Olusegun Oluwatimi could quickly step into a prominent role.
"Overall, Oluwatimi is a highly decorated, experienced and smart player with good processing skills, spatial awareness and an understanding of leverage," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "He will need to overcome below-average physical traits and a lack of proven versatility to become a starter but has the makeup and smarts to develop into a role player over his first contract."
Prospects like Oluwatimi, Notre Dame safety Brandon Joseph, Texas A&M safety Antonio Johnson, South Carolina cornerback Darius Rush, Kansas State lineman Cooper Beebe, Louisville tackle Trevor Reid, Arkansas safety Latavious Brini and Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller are players 49ers fans should become familiar with.
Expect Lynch to fill as many needs as possible in free agency and focus on adding depth over draft weekend.
Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted. Cap, contract and market information via Spotrac. Draft information via Tankathon.
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