49ers Free Agency Preview: Why San Francisco Must Pursue These 5 Players

Among the NFL teams that made the playoffs last season, the San Francisco 49ers might be in the best position of all.

They appear to have decent cap room to add key players. They have proven their young, talented defense is a major force. The special teams contribute in a big way to the defense’s effectiveness as opponents often find themselves having to go long distances to get in scoring position.

All of which makes the team’s needs coming into 2012 all that more obvious. The Niners were not a player away from the Super Bowl. They were more like a position away. That position is wide receiver.

Now that free agency period has opened, the Niners' front office should take an aggressive stance at the following five free agents.

Mike Wallace, Steelers

Few people in 2009 thought this third-round draft pick out of Mississippi would become one of the game’s most dangerous players. Credit the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff for coaching Wallace (6’, 180 pounds).

Blessed with blazing speed and good hands, he’s scored 24 TDs in just 48 games, of which he has started only 34. His career yards-per-reception average is an eye-opening 18.7.

That sort of threat on the sidelines means a safety automatically slides over to help his fellow cornerback. That means more room for the likes of Vernon Davis and one-on-one coverage for Michael Crabtree on the other side.

The best thing about Wallace is that he’s a tendered free agent, meaning that if the Niners agreed to a contract with him, he would cost the team a first-round pick. This year, that pick would be No. 30.

A budding superstar for years to come seems like an awfully cheap price for the Niners right now.

Ben Grubbs, Ravens

The fifth-year star is one of the game’s best interior linemen. Of note, from 2008-2010, he didn’t miss a game—a total of 48 straight starts.

Of late, he’s played left guard, but he started his career at the right guard slot, which just so happens to be the OL position on the Niners that appears to be the weakest. Adam Snyder is there now, but Grubbs would be a big improvement.

What’s more, Grubbs’s coach, John Harbaugh, runs a very similar offensive scheme like the 49ers. This should be an easy transition for Grubbs. At the same time, Snyder can continue to serve as the team’s backup center.

Brandon Carr, Chiefs

With free agent Carlos Rogers apparently willing to test the free agent waters, the four-year vet out of Grand Valley State has become one of the game’s better one-on-one CBs.

He’s had eight interceptions in his career, but a better mark is his durability—64 starts in 64 games. At 6’ and 207 pounds, he’s not the biggest CB, but he’s also not small.

One thing to consider about coming to the 49ers is that their front seven on defense is so good the corners are rarely left by themselves. Further, the pressure from the front seven leads to hurried and inaccurate throws, which increases the chances for interceptions.

In other words, it can be easy to look good as a DB in SF.

Mario Manningham, Giants

The New York Giants-49ers game on Nov. 13 opened my eyes to Manningham’s talent. He’s 6’ but he plays taller. His hands are like magnets. It was easy for Eli Manning to throw the ball high and Manningham would reach to the sky and pluck the ball.

The thing with Manningham is durability. He’s started only 28 games in the four years he’s been with the Giants. Last year, he played in only 10 games and started eight. But he was productive (but then, thanks to Manning, most Giants receivers were) with 39 catches for a 13.4 average and four TDs.

Manningham wouldn’t bring the big contract other receivers might draw, which is something that might be in his favor in coming to SF.

Vincent Jackson, Chargers

The 6’5” former Pro Bowl receiver has the frame that seems a perfect fit for the Niners. Listed at 241 pounds, he overpowers defensive backs and can wrestle with linebackers on the inside.

There are certain players in the NFL who have the size and speed to make defensive coordinators cringe when creating the game plan. Calvin Johnson and A.J. Green of the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively, come to mind.

Jackson was that before they came into the league—a big target that can climb into the clouds to haul down passes. His career average is 17.7 per catch. That’s a number that makes DBs back up and congregate on Jackson.

It has been reported that Jackson will be pursued by the Washington Redskins, and Tennessee Titans DB Cortland Finnegan has talked about a tandem deal to sign together. Also, Jackson has had some personality issues that appear to make him not quite a good fit for Jim Harbaugh’s team-first approach.

But this is a business, and finding a breakaway target for Alex Smith may mean going after Jackson in case all other options fall away. The good news: It would certainly increase Jackson’s chances of playing deep in the playoffs.