49ers Free Agency: Projecting Contract Offers for San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers are going to be faced with some tough decisions this offseason as they look to determine which of their free agents will return for 2015.

A number of these lower-tier free agents may not return to San Francisco next season. Some may return on an as-needed role. 

But there are a few high-profile free agents who prompt plenty of questions for 49ers general manager Trent Baalke and chief contract negotiator Paraag Marathe.

The 49ers are pressed up against the salary cap next season. According to Over the Cap, San Francisco's top 51 contracts for 2015 amount to $146,863,694.

The 49ers will have some unused carryover from this year's payroll, which can be applied to next season. It's feasible that other contracts will be renegotiated or adjusted and/or cap-casualty candidates released.

Still, the 49ers won't have too much wiggle room to make a lot of impact signings on the upcoming year.

This could prevent San Francisco from retaining some of its own pending free agents. One example is wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who finished an uninspiring 2014 contract year and will likely price himself out of the 49ers' future plans.

Other top players' futures may be more difficult to ascertain.

We'll examine some of the notable free agents upon which San Francisco's front office will have to decide. What contracts will the 49ers offer should they elect to retain these players? Is there a reasonable target range in which San Francisco will start such negotiations?

Let's try to answer that.

Mike Iupati, Guard

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Offensive guard Mike Iupati will likely be one of the highest-targeted free agents this offseason.

Mike Iupati, Offensive Guard

2014 Cap Hit: $4,625,863

Offensive lineman Mike Iupati is probably in the same boat as wide receiver Michael Crabtree, as both players' future contracts will be priced out of the team's future plans.

According to Spotrac.com (h/t Ryan Talbot of Scout Bills), Iupati's next contract will be somewhere in the range of five years for $31 million. Like Crabtree, this is something the cap-pressed 49ers probably won't be able to manage.

But what sets Iupati apart is an expressed desire to return to San Francisco. While understanding the business side of things, Iupati stated, via the team's website, that this is his home and it "would suck" going somewhere else. Per the 49ers' official Twitter account:

"

#49ers LG Mike Iupati approaches free agency with hopes of returning: http://t.co/ZwVQBijmAT pic.twitter.com/X7XPb7z6kM

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 30, 2014"

Crabtree has not exactly offered such sentiments.

There is an outside chance that Iupati offers some sort of hometown discount. It is also contingent whether or not the 49ers, under new head coach Jim Tomsula, return to a power-run game. Iupati is one of the best run-blockers in the league. 

Re-signing the 27-year-old O-lineman might be worthwhile if this is the offensive approach, per Doug Williams of NBC Bay Area.

But at what cost?

Should Iupati fit into the 49ers' 2015 plans, that discount would have to be at a bargain-basement level.

Predicted Offer: Five years for $20 million with a high signing bonus that can be prorated over the duration of the contract.

Dan Skuta, Linebacker

USA TODAY Sports

Linebacker Dan Skuta enjoyed a more prominent role on defense in 2014.

Dan Skuta, Linebacker

2014 Cap Hit: $1,650,000

Linebacker Dan Skuta was signed by the 49ers in 2013 to be an effective piece on special teams. 

That role increased dramatically in 2014 after San Francisco was forced to deal with a nine-game suspension handed out to fellow linebacker Aldon Smith. After Smith returned, Skuta remained a critical part of the rotation on the outside.

Skuta enjoyed his contract year with five sacks, which was tied for second on the team in 2014.

The 28-year-old veteran has also expressed a desire to return to the 49ers next season. Skuta stated such via the team's website, citing new head coach Jim Tomsula as a man for whom he wanted to play. Per Taylor Price of 49ers.com:

"

#49ers fans should listen to this @Dskuta51 interview on why he wants to play for #JimTomsula. http://t.co/ZrWtqMUrRu

— Taylor Price (@TaylorPrice) January 15, 2015"

Like Iupati before, Skuta being retained by San Francisco hinges on the cost and length. Both have expressed sincere interest in returning, but this is always talk until a contract is finalized. 

Skuta has versatility on special teams and as a legitimate piece of the defense. 2014 was his best season yet, which sets the linebacker up for a nice pay raise should he be seeking one.

Will the 49ers answer?

Predicted Offer: Two years for $3.5 million—a slight raise over the two-year, $3 million contract given in 2013. How much would Skuta want to play for Tomsula versus testing the market?

Perrish Cox, Cornerback

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Cornerback Perrish Cox led the team with five interceptions in 2014.

Perrish Cox, Cornerback

2014 Cap Hit: $695,000

Just like linebacker Dan Skuta, cornerback Perrish Cox put in a career-best year in 2014, which sets him up for a nice pay increase this season.

Obviously, much of this defensive thanks has to go to former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and also the recently released secondary coach Ed Donatell.

Cox is part of a secondary that experienced plenty of attrition this season, yet emerged as a unit that allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards in the NFL (3,531). Assisting with those stats were the five interceptions Cox had—numbers that led the team this year.

The 28-year-old defensive back had been a bubble-watch player for most of his career prior to 2014. His one-year, $695,000 contract reveals that the 49ers didn't exactly have the most long-term faith in Cox prior to the season.

But Cox earned his stripes. Now, he will earn his paycheck.

It's feasible the 49ers do something with Cox similar to what they did with fellow corner Tramaine Brock prior to 2014—a relatively low-cost deal that locks up the defensive back for the next three or four years.

Predicted Offer: Four years for $10 million that includes a $2 million signing bonus that can be prorated over the duration of the contract.

Chris Culliver, Cornerback

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Cornerback Chris Culliver was a solid part of a top-tier 49ers secondary.

Chris Culliver, Cornerback

2014 Cap Hit: $1,580,719

Unlike Perrish Cox, fellow cornerback Chris Culliver is likely in line for a hefty pay raise that could easily exceed what San Francisco is willing to offer in 2015.

Culliver finished his four-year, $2.639 million contract with a strong season—a year in which San Francisco's defense ranked No. 1 in the NFL with 23 interceptions. Despite a rough start to 2014, Culliver's numbers were noteworthy, according to Pro Football Focus' Jeff Deeney:

"

After a shaky first three games, Chris Culliver's +10.7 coverage grade over the final 13 games was fifth best among cornerbacks. #49ers

— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) December 31, 2014"

This will certainly drive Culliver's price tag higher in 2015. But how much?

According to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News, Culliver's 2014 accolades could push him toward elite status this offseason.

How will this be reflected in contractual talks? 

Predicted Offer: Five years for $22 million with a $5 million signing bonus that can be prorated over the course of the contract.

Frank Gore, Running Back

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Gore's return is contingent on a number of critical factors.

Frank Gore, Running Back

2014 Cap Hit: $6,450,000

Out of all the 49ers entering free agency this offseason, the toughest to lose would easily be running back Frank Gore. 

At 31 years old, Gore has shown zero signs of ending his storied career. He'll play in 2015. The only question is where.

Both Gore and 49ers general manager Trent Baalke have expressed a mutual interest in a reunion next season, per Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (h/t Conor Orr of NFL.com). Per the NFL's Twitter:

"

.@49ers GM hopes to have Frank Gore back in 2015: http://t.co/J7ky2VMlNK pic.twitter.com/onq2dQuS3y

— NFL (@nfl) December 27, 2014"

Gore's return may be influenced by the promotion of Jim Tomsula as head coach. According to Vincent Frank of Forbes, Gore and Tomsula have a great relationship. This could be the deciding factor that brings Gore back to San Francisco.

But Gore is also an expensive commodity. At least if his next deal is anything close to the three-year, $19.213 million deal that expired this season.

It's hard to speculate what type of deal the 49ers would offer to the franchise's all-time rushing leader. It would likely be a one-year offer, but at what cost and with what language worked into the contract?

The 49ers are looking to work No. 2 back Carlos Hyde into a more prominent role next season, which sets up competition for Gore and San Francisco's other running back Kendall Hunter.

At least Baalke wants Gore back. But what will the numbers be?

Predicted Offer: One year for a $3 million base salary and minimal guaranteed money. Numerous incentives could be worked into the deal based on starts, yards, etc.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated. Contractual information courtesy of Spotrac.com unless notified otherwise.

Peter Panacy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report, covering the San Francisco 49ers. Be sure to check out his entire archive on 49ers news, insight and analysis.

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