49ers' Top Players to Prioritize in 2024 NFL Free Agency

The San Francisco 49ers need to do a balancing act in free agency to retain the right players, but also find a few additions that will help them get back to the Super Bowl.

Jauan Jennings must be the No. 1 priority when it comes to internal free agents. His breakout performance in Super Bowl 58 helped his case across the league, but the 49ers could still use him as the No. 3 wide receiver.

Sam Darnold only played in Week 18, but he needs to be near the top of free-agent targets so that the 49ers have stability in the quarterback room for Brock Purdy.

The 49ers will lose some players to free agency and how they replace Chase Young and other defensive contributors could dictate how they start the 2024 campaign.

Jauan Jennings

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LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 11: Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch to score a touchdown during Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Jennings could be a fascinating free-agent case to some teams.

Jennings' four-catch showing in the Super Bowl showed he could perform in a pressure situation. Some teams may have watched that and thought they could extract more potential out of the wide receiver.

A case could be made that Jennings' career numbers are low because he's been behind Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk on the depth chart. The addition of Christian McCaffrey to the passing game did not help Jennings either.

The weak wide receiver free-agent market could play in Jennings' favor, as he could sign as a No. 2 somewhere.

However, San Francisco is the perfect spot for Jennings to sign. He should have a chance to progress in the offensive stat categories in 2024.

The 49ers should put a ton of effort into keeping Jennings on an improved deal in anticipation of Aiyuk's potential free-agent departure next offseason.

Sam Darnold

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 20: Sam Darnold #14 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before the NFC Divisional Playoffs against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Re-signing Darnold should be a priority to the 49ers because it is the smart move.

Darnold helped Purdy in the quarterback room all season, and in the case the starter gets hurt, he could be counted on to play a few games.

Darnold's time in Kyle Shanahan's system this season would allow him to play well as a backup, if that scenario comes forward in 2024.

The former New York Jets and Carolina Panthers quarterback could have plenty of suitors across the NFL because of the abundance of young signal-callers set to come into the league.

Darnold could be a perfect mentor for Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels because he lived what they about to go through.

Staying in California in a comfortable situation may intrigue Darnold more than any other potential spot across the league, and that is why the 49ers should push to get a deal done sooner rather than later.

D.J. Reader

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) reacts during the game against the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 10, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If the 49ers take one big swing in free agency, it should be on a defensive lineman.

The 49ers could use one more dominant veteran on the interior alongside Joey Bosa, Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave.

D.J. Reader could be a fascinating complement to those players. He is coming off a season with 34 tackles and seven quarterback hits for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Reader should command a good amount of attention in free agency, and the 49ers may be priced out of his market, but they should take a look at the veteran defensive tackle.

Chase Young and Javon Kinlaw are among the free-agent departures along the defensive line. The 49ers need to reinforce their depth in that spot, and while they may wait until the 2024 NFL draft to address that need, they should at least try to land one big free agent.