San Francisco 49ers: Determining Which Free Agents Will Be on 2012 Roster

The 2011 NFL season is officially over for the San Francisco 49ers.

Trent Baalke, Jim Harbaugh and the rest of the coaching staff will now shift their focus from game planning to personnel management as they work to determine which free agents from last year's team will be targeted to re-sign and join the 2012 roster.

The 49ers currently have 19 players on their roster who will become free agents after March 13, which is the official start of the free-agency signing period.

Alex Smith and Carlos Rogers have both said that they want to remain on the 49ers, and their agents are currently in contact with the 49ers front office with the intent of making a deal happen.

There are no guarantees in the NFL, though, and you never know how contract negotiations are going to go down.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the 19 players for the 49ers who are currently without a contract.

Will Tukuafu (Defensive Tackle)

After showing some good skills in crucial situations in the preseason and in the first part of the 2011 NFL season, Will Tukuafu spent the rest of the season on the injured reserve list with a wrist injury. 

I expect Tukuafu to challenge for some playing time on the 49ers defensive front line in 2012. He was originally a rookie free agent out of Oregon signed by the Seattle Seahawks and later cut by them. The 49ers picked him up in 2010 and signed him to a two-year deal, which is now up.

Tukuafu is an "exclusive rights" free agent, which means that the 49ers basically own him next year. He will sign whatever contract the team offers him, which they will surely do.

Verdict: On 2012 roster

Tramaine Brock (Cornerback)

The last memory of Tramaine Brock is that of Mario Manningham cutting in front of him for the touchdown in the NFC championship game.

Bitter memories notwithstanding, Brock is actually a solid young cornerback for the 49ers, making two interceptions for the team in limited action in 2011.

Brock is also an "exclusive rights" free agent, meaning he can't negotiate with other teams. He will be given the opportunity to compete for one of the roster spots in training camp.

Verdict: On 2012 roster

Brett Swain (Wide Receiver)

Brett Swain didn't do much for the 49ers in 2011. His total contribution to the team in terms of offensive output was two catches for 15 yards. That's it.

Swain, at 6'0" and 200 pounds, is neither fast nor quick and doesn't do enough of the other things to make up the difference. He was only able to haul in six catches for the entire 2010 season with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

The 49ers desperately need to upgrade this position in 2012, both through the NFL draft and through free agency. Swain isn't part of those plans.

Verdict: Off 2012 roster

Madieu Williams (Free Safety)

Madieu Williams was signed as insurance by the 49ers in 2011. The team didn't know if Dashon Goldson would be on the roster, and Williams was a seemingly solid, veteran option that protected the team from catastrophe if Goldson didn't sign. 

It is a good thing Goldson did sign, because there was an incredible drop off in production the few times Williams was forced into the starting lineup, as the picture here shows.

In the end, Williams was nothing more than a special-teams player for the 49ers in 2011. I guarantee the team will look to get younger through the draft, and I'll be more than surprised if Williams returns to the 49ers in 2012.

Verdict: Off 2012 roster

Tavares Gooden (Linebacker, Special-Teams Stud)

Tavares Gooden is an extremely athletic, fast linebacker who, along with Blake Costanzo and a couple others, turned the 49ers special-teams coverage unit into a true force and major part of the team's success in 2011.

Gooden will likely be targeted by Baalke and Harbaugh as a player to retain. His value to the team is high, and his price-tag will likely be low (close to the minimum).

I'll be surprised if Gooden isn't on the roster in 2012, and I expect to see him continue to excel as a special-teams leader for the 49ers.

Verdict: On 2012 roster

Justin Peele (Tight End)

The 49ers signed Justin Peele in September to be their third tight end after Nate Byham went on the injured reserve list with a knee injury.

Peele was solid as a blocker in the 49ers' power running game, but he was essentially non-existent in the 49ers' passing attack, catching only one pass all year in 2011.

Byham will be back next year, and with Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker locking up the other roster spots, it seems highly unlikely that we'll see Peele on the 2012 roster.

Verdict: Off 2012 roster

Reggie Smith (Safety)

Reggie Smith has been one of the players I've been most disappointed by in the last few years for the 49ers. It seems like I'm always expecting him to take the next step in his development, only he never does.

Smith has had four seasons to prove he belongs with the 49ers, but he still seems to be standing at square one.

Maybe the best thing for both the 49ers and for Smith would be for him to try his luck elsewhere. I don't really expect the team to be jumping at the first opportunity to re-sign him, and I believe they will look to get better and younger though the draft.

Verdict: Off 2012 roster

Moran Norris (Fullback)

The best thing I can say about Moran Norris is this: If he could find someone to hit, he won the battle more often than he lost. 

The thing is, Norris usually looked like he wasn't even looking where he was going. There was one particular play in the Baltimore Ravens/Harbowl on Thanksgiving where Norris literally dove down, blocking nobody, while the defense ran right around him to tackle Frank Gore for a loss. 

Norris had one good year for the 49ers, waaaay back in 2006. It was Gore's best year as a pro, and he has credited Norris with much of his success. 

Unfortunately, those days are long gone, and Norris was one of the worst players in the entire league at any position in 2011. 

Verdict: Off 2012 roster 

Chilo Rachal (Right Guard)

All you really need to know about Chilo Rachal is this: Frank Gore averaged just over 49 yards per game during the first three weeks of the 2011 NFL season. Then, in Week 4, Harbaugh replaced Rachal with Adam Snyder and Gore rattled off five consecutive games of over 100 yards. 

Then, in Week 12, Snyder suffered a pulled hamstring, forcing Rachal back into the starting lineup. The Baltimore Ravens ended up sacking Alex Smith nine times in that debacle, overloading the right side of the 49ers offensive line.

Rachal is as physically imposing as any player in the league, and he could become dominant if his brain could compete at the same level as his body. Unfortunately, it doesn't.

I don't see the 49ers giving Rachal another shot in 2012, and I'm hoping they go after Carl Nicks, the Pro Bowl right guard of the New Orleans Saints, in free agency.

Verdict: Off 2012 roster 

Larry Grant (Middle Linebacker)

I would be thrilled if Larry Grant remains a 49er next year. He really showed he's a capable player in the NFL when Patrick Willis went down late in the season with a hamstring.

I will honestly be surprised to see Grant wearing red and gold in 2012. I expect he wants a shot to earn a position as a starter, which isn't going to happen on the 49ers.

Jerry Jones has expressed a real need and desire to get a thumper to play next to Sean Lee for the Dallas Cowboys, and I believe there are a few other teams that would like to see what he could do for them, too.

The Washington Redskins might want to go younger (London Fletcher is getting up there and is also a free agent) and the Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers are all teams that might like to make Grant an offer.

Verdict: Off 2012 roster

C.J. Spillman (Cornerback, Special-Teams Ace)

C.J. Spillman will become a restricted free agent as of March 13. I will be surprised if the 49ers don't get his contract extended before then, however.

Spillman was an invaluable member of the 49ers special-teams coverage unit, an aspect of the NFL game Jim Harbaugh and Brad Seely highly value.

I will be absolutely stunned if they fail to get him locked up for at least three years, as he has value as a defensive-back prospect, as well.

Spillman will be entering his fourth year out of Marshall, and his career trajectory is still "arrow up," as Harbaugh would say. 

Verdict: On 2012 roster

Blake Costanzo (Middle Linebacker, Special-Teams Leader)

There are a few players on the 49ers who personify the blue collar, rough-and-tumble attitude that Jim Harbaugh has brought with him: Justin Smith, Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Blake Costanzo.

Costanzo was one of the key leaders for the 49ers in 2011 as a special-teams head-hunter, and with Larry Grant likely leaving via free agency, he will also compete for a backup position behind either NaVorro Bowman or Patrick Willis.

I expect the 49ers to try to get Costanzo locked up before March 13, and I'll be surprised to see anything different occur.

Verdict: On 2012 roster

Joshua Morgan (Wide Receiver)

Joshua Morgan has had a string of bad luck. He missed a ton of time and lost about 15 pounds with a staph infection a couple years ago after having a terrific camp, and then he broke his leg this year after putting together a couple of solid games for the team.

Morgan has consistently shown an ability to be a competent No. 2 or No. 3 wide receiver for the 49ers, and his ability to gain yards after the catch is a deadly weapon in any West Coast offense.

I've been torn about whether the 49ers should re-sign Morgan or just move on.

I believe he'll be back next year because the team will be able to sign him to a relatively cheap contract, but I'm not sure if he really brings enough to the table to warrant a spot on the 53-man roster at the end of camp (I'm hoping the 49ers bring in enough talent to make this a tough decision).

Verdict: On 2012 roster

Adam Snyder (Offensive Lineman)

Adam Snyder may very well be the most versatile offensive lineman in the NFL. He can play all five positions on the line, while handling himself well at each one. 

The 49ers have a great chance to retain his services, though. He isn't particularly dominant at each of these positions, though he is competent at all of them.

This keeps his price-tag down to manageable levels, and I expect the 49ers to have Snyder near the top of their priority list to keep on the team in 2012.

My hope is that the 49ers sign Carl Nicks to come in and start at Snyder's right guard position, though, allowing Snyder to act as a second option for all the positions, strengthening the entire unit as a whole.

Verdict: On 2012 roster 

Ted Ginn (Wide Receiver, Returner)

Until the NFC championship game, I was of the opinion that Ted Ginn was expendable. Now, I'm not so sure.

Ginn is an above-average kick/punt returner and a terrible wide receiver who was actually much more effective as a runner on reverse plays this year than he was as a receiver.

He is extremely one-dimensional as to what he provides for his team, yet his one dimension is of the utmost importance, as we all saw in the heartbreaking loss to the New York Giants in the championship game.

My preference is that the 49ers could bring in a more well-rounded football player who could contribute in the passing game while providing the team with a good option as a returner, but there is no guarantee they'll find that player this year.

Ginn took a big pay cut to stay on this year's roster, and I believe he'll be back in 2012 at about the same price.

Verdict: On 2012 roster

Ahmad Brooks (Outside Linebacker)

Ahmad Brooks is a solid starting outside linebacker in the 49ers 3-4 scheme. He is good about setting and keeping the edge against the running game, and he has been a disruptive, if not spotty pass rusher.

He will likely receive some interest from other teams as a result of his continued improvement. Brooks is 28 years old, and he has gotten better every year he's been in the league.

Teams might offer him a significant amount of money to come in and start, while Aldon Smith is pushing to become a full-time starter for the 49ers, who also still have Parys Haralson on contract.

I believe that Brooks' chances of staying here in San Francisco are about 50/50. I won't really be surprised one way or another.

My preference is that he stays. He seems to always be in the proper position, and you never know when he might burst around the edge and devastate the opposing quarterback.

Verdict: Off 2012 roster (just a hunch)

Dashon Goldson (Free Safety)

Dashon Goldson wanted to get paid in free agency in 2011. He didn't get what he hoped for, and came back to the 49ers on a one-year, $2 million deal. It's safe to say he proved he's worth the big bucks in 2012 with a phenomenal performance in 2011.

Goldson was one of the most disruptive, ball-hawking safeties in the entire NFL this past season, and his game is tailor-made to play next to the 49ers other starting safety, Donte Whitner.

The 49ers will likely offer Goldson a long-term deal for between $5 million-$6 million per year. If he refuses their offer, I am betting Baalke slaps the Franchise tag on him, securing his services for at least another year while keeping him hungry for his desired long-term deal, thus getting the most out of him.

Either way, I expect to see Goldson in 49ers colors next year.

Verdict: On 2012 roster

Carlos Rogers (Cornerback)

When the 49ers announced they had signed Carlos Rogers to a free-agent contract, I was hopeful he'd be an improvement from the spotty play of Nate Clements. All the reports on Rogers said he was a good cover man who just couldn't catch.

Well, there must be something in the water at the 49ers team complex in Santa Clara, because Rogers' six interceptions in 2011 were three times as many as he'd accomplished in any other year.

Rogers has expressed his desire to stick around, hoping to finish his career in San Francisco. He has said he'd be willing to take a discounted rate to stay on this team. I believe that he's serious, and I believe the 49ers are going to do whatever is in their power to retain his services. 

I don't expect we'll see another Clements-type deal, however, as I'm sure the team learned from that mistake.

Verdict: On 2012 roster

Alex Smith (Quarterback)

In my mind, the 49ers re-signing Alex Smith is one of the biggest locks of the entire 2012 NFL offseason. I just don't see it not happening.

Smith had a fantastic year for the 49ers, helping the team break an NFL record for fewest turnovers in a season (10). He also showed an ability to hit open targets and run one of the most efficient offenses in the league.

I predict that Smith will improve upon his 2011 performance given an offseason to perfect the West Coast offense and glean from the wealth of knowledge his head coach possesses.

It will also help his cause if Trent Baalke can bring in some legitimate talent that can get open on a regular basis at the wide receiver position.

There are some folks who have blamed Smith for the lack of production in this area, but that logic doesn't hold true when you consider how gorgeous Smith's throws have been to Vernon Davis, who does get open on a regular basis.

Verdict: On 2012 roster

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