Free Agents 49ers Should Pursue After 2024 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers roster is pretty much set with a few months left before training camp.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch combined to put together a solid draft class that filled depth holes at certain positions.

The 49ers may not make any more free-agent signings before August, and if they do, it is to strengthen the competition in training camp.

San Francisco could add another tight end to the competition to be George Kittle's backup. It also would not hurt if another linebacker gets added while Dre Greenlaw works back to 100 percent.

After that, the 49ers do not appear to have many roster flaws going into the 2024 regular season.

Robert Tonyan

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 31: Equanimeous St. Brown #19, Robert Tonyan #18 and Roschon Johnson #23 of the Chicago Bears line up in the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field on December 31, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

The 49ers currently have Cameron Latu and Eric Saubert as their backup tight ends behind Kittle.

Latu is working back from a lost season due to injury. He was a solid pass-catcher during his collegiate career at Alabama. But there is a chance he does not work out as the backup tight end.

Saubert is more of a blocking tight end who has had over 100 receiving yards once in his six NFL seasons.

The 49ers could take a flier on Robert Tonyan to provide more competition with Latu and Saubert in training camp.

Tonyan did not work as Cole Kmet's backup in Chicago last season, which may be one reason the 49ers shy against signing him, but he is worth a training-camp deal to see if he can unlock the 11-touchdown form he had in 2020.

Kwon Alexander

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Kwon Alexander #54 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates an interception in the fourth quarter to secure a win over the Tennessee Titans at Acrisure Stadium on November 02, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

A reunion with Kwon Alexander is possible given the Greenlaw situation.

Greenlaw tore his Achilles during the Super Bowl and will not be at 100 percent right away in 2024.

The 49ers have a handful of players they can plug in to play alongside Fred Warner and De'Vondre Campbell, but it could help to land a veteran with experience in the team's system.

Alexander hopped around on one-year deals for the last few seasons. He made over 40 tackles in each of the last three seasons.

The 49ers would not ask Alexander to perform at Greenlaw's high level, but if he can provide some depth at linebacker with one or two meaningful plays per game, it could be a big help to the Niners defense.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Marquez Valdes-Scantling #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs catches a pass against Oren Burks #48 of the San Francisco 49ers in overtime during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The 49ers do not have an immediate need at wide receiver, but that could change if any trades are made in the coming months.

Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel were mentioned in trade speculation over the last few months. The contract situations of both players will keep them in the trade conversations.

San Francisco was proactive in the draft by selecting Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing to fill the depth beneath Aiyuk, Samuel and Jauan Jennings.

If the 49ers do not trade one of their stars, there is a chance the rookies do not click in Shanahan's offense right away.

Bringing in one more veteran pass-catcher, like Marquez Valdes-Scantling, could be a short-term solution to bridge the gap while the rookies get up to speed, especially Pearsall.

The 49ers may not need another wide out at all, but they should at least explore bringing in a veteran in case a trade is imminent, or the rookies need more time.