Top 10 NFL Free Agents San Francisco 49ers Must Sign

After covering the various NFL free agents that the San Francisco 49ers should avoid and the pipe-dream candidates who will simply land elsewhere, dissecting more realistic offseason additions is the logical progression.

Instead of evaluating the defective and unobtainable players, it’s time we a compile a top-10 list of gridiron assets that San Francisco must sign.

And a mere $1.3 million in cap space or not, per OverTheCap.com, the 49ers have personnel holes that general manager Trent Baalke must fill and salaries that president Paraag Marathe must negotiate.

Leaving the financial logistics to the latter of those brighter minds, what exactly are those roster deficiencies? Which ones are most pressing?

Any talk of the Niners’ positional needs begins with wide receiver. Anquan Boldin, Stevie Johnson, Bruce Ellington and Quinton Patton are the only notables under contract for this season.

Next on the list are cornerback and defensive line. Top corners Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox played their way into new deals, while a front line without Ray McDonald and potentially Justin Smith would leave this team susceptible in the trenches.

The 49ers also need depth along the offensive line, outside linebacker and safety.

Left guard Mike Iupati will command an enormous contract elsewhere, and Jonathan Martin was a certifiable disaster at backup right tackle. Ahmad Brooks carries the team’s fifth-highest cap hit at $7.05 million. Dan Skuta is a free agent, and free safety Eric Reid already has a disturbing history of head trauma in the NFL.

Colin Kaepernick could also use a reliable pass-catcher at tight end. Vance McDonald is still rehabbing, and Vernon Davis remains a brand-focused underachiever. And assuming that dictator, err, CEO Jed York’s groundbreaking philosophy to be more like the Seahawks gets traction, per CSN Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, a capable backup behind Kap also wouldn’t hurt.

Oh, and that Frank Gore guy, the one who wears No. 21? They might want to bring him back too.

Forgetting cap-busting wideout Demaryius Thomas and cornerback Darrelle Revis and considering more so the likes of Danieal Manning and Dan Skuta, let’s now identify the top 10 free agents the 49ers must sign this offseason.

Note: We will rank these free agents from No. 10 to No. 1, in order of least to most important. They will also correspond for the most part with the Niners’ least to greatest positional needs (TE, G, S, QB, OLB, T, DL, CB, WR).

10. Owen Daniels, Tight End

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Owen Daniels (No. 81) remains a viable pass-catching tight end—and one the San Francisco 49ers must sign.

Technically speaking, the 49ers already have three tight ends under contract for 2015 who contributed on the stat sheet last year.

But not so technically speaking, as those three tight ends also generated comically low numbers.

Vernon Davis compiled the worst season of his near decade-long career just one year after producing arguably his best. He caught all of 26 passes for 245 yards on a measly 9.4 yards per catch. He didn’t register a single score after netting two in Week 1.

The vigilant folks at Pro Football Focus ranked him in the bottom six among 67 tight ends with help from Davis’ third-leading six drops.

Vance McDonald, meanwhile, dropped nearly as many passes as he caught. He finished with one drop and two catches for 30 yards before a back injury ended his campaign after just eight games. The man who was drafted for pass-catching purposes at No. 55 overall in 2013 has actually developed into a better blocker than receiver.

Derek Carrier, for his part, showed promise with nine grabs for 109 yards. But the former wideout also hung up the cleats early due to injury and remains an unknown commodity.

Given McDonald’s stalled development, Davis’ $6.9 million cap hit and Carrier’s unrefined skill set, Owen Daniels would make a fine offseason addition in San Francisco.

The man who went 96 picks lower than Davis in the 2006 NFL draft has consistently produced in the passing game since he came into the league. He continued doing so at the sprite age of 32, as he hauled in 48 receptions for 527 yards and four touchdowns in 2014, including a go-ahead score before halftime in the divisional playoffs.

Even though CSN Baltimore’s Bo Smolka reports that Daniels will likely reunite with Gary Kubiak in Denver, general manager Trent Baalke must do his best to lure him over to the 49ers.

Daniels is a proven and affordable veteran who would at the least provide competition in training camp for the Niners incumbents. He would either help Davis and Co. realize their potential or earn a roster spot himself outright.

And whether Daniels makes the team or not, Colin Kaepernick’s evolution as a quarterback mandates the services of a reliable tight end.

Daniels and his motivating presence will best facilitate the arrival of that resource.

9. Adam Snyder, Guard/Tackle

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Similar to "picking up" his teammates on the New York Giants, Adam Snyder (No. 68) would strengthen the 49ers offensive line as a reserve asset.

Of course, in order for Kaepernick to target his array of pass-catchers, he must have a stout group up front.

And that includes a full complement of both starting and backup offensive linemen.

Left guard Mike Iupati has all but moved on to other gridiron pastures. Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey is already lobbying for him, while Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee calls it “nearly [a] guarantee” that the upper-echelon free agent lands elsewhere.

Assuming that Iupati will command guaranteed millions over several years on another team, who do the 49ers have behind him?

Third-round picks Marcus Martin and Brandon Thomas sit atop the depth chart.

The former struggled as a rookie center last season, but the 6’3”, 320-pounder will develop nicely into an interior mauler. His “jarring punch in pass protection” and “strong inline power” in the run game qualify Martin for a future starting role, per ESPN Insider.

Thomas, meanwhile, redshirted with the 49ers in 2014 after being selected 100th overall. His first-round talent and “power, length and versatility” make him a great fit “with the physical style of the 49ers’ offensive line,” according to the scouts at ESPN Insider.

Throw in capable 2012 draft pick Joe Looney and the Niners appear relatively set.

Yet as we’ve all learned, no NFL team can ever have an abundance of quality bodies in the trenches.

Adam Snyder, for his part, fits the bill as one of those depth-filling bodies.

He suited up for the red and gold from 2005 to 2011 and again in 2013. He has experience at guard, tackle and center but has played mostly the former over the past couple of seasons.

The 33-year-old vet of 10 years is a highly intelligent and versatile player who would offer invaluable guidance for the younger linemen. That veteran savvy would help him overcome any physical limitations for fill-in duty at guard and anywhere else the 49ers might need him.

Knee injury that cut his 2014 campaign short or not, Snyder is a must-sign for San Francisco.

8. Danieal Manning, Safety

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Free-agent safety Danieal Manning has still got it, seen here breaking up a would-be touchdown pass to T.Y. Hilton.

When healthy, the 49ers feature one of the better safety tandems in the NFL.

Antoine Bethea shined in his first year in San Francisco. He started all 16 games and led the team with 1,064 snaps while ranking second in tackles. The Pro Bowler rated fifth among safeties with four interceptions and sixth overall by Pro Football Focus among the 87 players graded at his position.

Eric Reid, despite experiencing a bit of a sophomore slump, still put forth a solid campaign. He notched three interceptions, limited opposing quarterbacks to a 59.3 completion percentage and earned a top-20 grade in run defense.

The former LSU standout, unfortunately, suffered another concussion and missed the final game of the season. Enduring more incidents of head trauma (three) than seasons played (two) is rather disconcerting for a man in a position that is most conducive to those types of injuries.

Reid’s NFL playing career isn’t in jeopardy, but Trent Baalke still must exercise his due diligence and ensure a dependable backup presence.

And that’s where Danieal Manning enters the fold.

He saw action in all 16 games for the Houston Texans in 2014. He started and came off the bench at both free and strong safety. The nine-year pro forced quarterbacks into a 56.5 completion percentage and didn’t allow any touchdowns in coverage. PFF pegged him as the 30th-best overall safety.

The 49ers would derive exceptional value from this cheap but reliable vet. Manning earned a base salary of just $855,000 last year and remains an effective player.

Craig Dahl, on the other hand, earned well over $1 million and brings a cap hit of $1.93 million this season.

The Niners’ top backup at safety has never been more than a solid contributor on special teams. His 152.1 passer rating and one touchdown surrendered in Week 16 against the San Diego Chargers was much more emblematic than his game-sealing interception the following week.

Cutting Dahl before June 1 would instantly save the 49ers $1.7 million, according to Over the Cap. Bringing in Manning would further alleviate cap overages and supply this squad with the perfect reserve asset behind Reid and Bethea.

7. Tarvaris Jackson, Quarterback

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Fans don't want to hear it, but backup quarterbacks like Tarvaris Jackson are highly valuable assets, especially to a 49ers team that hasn't had one in quite some time.

There exists an inverse ratio between the need for a proficient backup quarterback and the attention it generates in free agency.

We’ll let the readers discern which one occupies the high and low in that equation.

The 49ers operated with none other than Blaine Gabbert at that important position in 2014. And they were fortunate Colin Kaepernick started all 16 games.

Gabbert showcased himself in an unflattering light before the year even began, struggling in both training camp and the preseason. He rarely displayed any consistency in practice and completed just 46.8 percent of his passes for 186 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and a lowly passer rating of 54.0 over four games.

His garbage-time touchdown against the Denver Broncos in Week 7 didn’t negate his 42.9 percent completion rate, paltry average of 5.4 yards per attempt and generally fearful presence in the pocket.

Not even the great quarterback savior that is Jim Harbaugh could salvage the former Jacksonville Jaguar.

Seeing that Harbaugh is in Michigan and Gabbert is a free agent, what better time than now to bring in someone who isn’t a first-round bust?

Especially when it would materialize as stealing from the enemy.

Tarvaris Jackson has served as the backup behind Russell Wilson for the past two seasons. He was a member of the Buffalo Bills in 2012 after starting 14 games for the Seattle Seahawks in 2011.

Jackson has attempted only 14 passes in his limited appearances, but he has completed 11 of them, including one touchdown. He also compiled a 72.2 completion rate, 357 yards, three scores, zero picks and a 131.4 passer rating during the 2013 preseason.

The former 64th overall draft pick in 2006 offers some running ability as well. He has rushed for a respectable 644 yards and six touchdowns over eight NFL campaigns.

Even with a mediocre performance in this year’s tune-up period, Jackson remains one of the league’s top backups—and one would who fit well in the 49ers offense. He has played within Seattle’s power-run, read-option attack behind Wilson and Marshawn Lynch, which carries many similarities with the Niners' offensive approach led by Kaepernick and Frank Gore.

Furthermore, according to The Sacramento Bee’s Matt Barrows, new quarterbacks coach Steve Logan favors quarterbacks who can make plays with their arms and legs. New offensive coordinator Geep Chryst feels the same.

And in an impending train wreck of a 49ers season where injuries will likely add to the playoff-less catastrophe, it’s crucial that this team has a functional backup.

If financial guru Paraag Marathe can negotiate a cap-friendly contract, he and Trent Baalke must poach from the Seahawks ranks and ink Jackson to a deal.

6. Dan Skuta, Outside Linebacker

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Niners' free-agent outside linebacker Dan Skuta (No. 51) is much more important to this defense than what a lot of people would otherwise think.

From cult hero to a nationally recognized favorite of Monday Night Football star Jon Gruden, the 49ers have a special someone in their corps of backup linebackers.

But that “have” could soon change to the past tense if they don’t act decisively with this latest free agent.

Dan Skuta has logged 18 starts and registered playing time in 30 games since coming over from the Cincinnati Bengals two years ago. He recorded two pass breakups and a fumble recovery touchdown in 2013, followed by setting career highs with five sacks and three forced fumbles last season.

Pro Football Focus credited him with positive grades in pass rush, coverage and run defense in 2013, awarding him with the No. 16 spot among 3-4 outside linebackers. He slipped a bit to No. 29 in PFF’s rankings in 2014 but still merited a positive overall standing.

Skuta made eight vital starts in place of the suspended Aldon Smith before accepting a reserve role in five of the next six games. He earned back his starting gig for the final two contests.

As is the case with so many other key backups around the NFL, Skuta deserves a raise after completing a two-year, $3 million deal with only $300,000 guaranteed. But for a cash-strapped team like the 49ers, allocating the necessary funds will prove difficult.

Fiscal challenge or not, San Francisco must retain this integral member of its defense.

With Ahmad Brooks and his $7.05 million cap hit likely gone, the 49ers will have Smith and rookie sensation Aaron Lynch as the starting outside ‘backers. That leaves only second-round disappointment Corey Lemonier and former practice squad member Chase Thomas atop the reserve depth chart.

As such, Marathe and Baalke must utilize all means necessary to ensure Skuta keeps sporting the red and gold in 2015.

5. Kenny Britt, Wide Receiver

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Instead of catching pivotal touchdowns for the enemy, free-agent wideout Kenny Britt could be doing just the opposite for the 49ers in 2015.

We’ll declare at the outset that selecting a top-tier wide receiver in the first round of this year’s draft is far more important than any free-agent signings at the position.

The likes of Kevin White, DeVante Parker and Jaelen Strong will provide a much more significant benefit for San Francisco both now and into the future.

Because let’s face it—the 49ers simply don’t have the cap room for Demaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant, Jeremy Maclin or any other megadeal acquisition.

But that also doesn’t mean Trent Baalke should just sit on his hands and wait for the draft.

Kenny Britt is an available asset who would offer some sorely needed abilities to the receiving corps.

After burning all bridges with the Tennessee Titans, Britt resurrected his once promising career with the St. Louis Rams last season. He totaled a solid 748 yards and three touchdowns on 15.6 yards per catch for a Rams team that never enjoyed any real stability at the quarterback position.

The 30th overall pick in 2009 brings 6’3” size and a knack for separating from defenders that would aid in both the red-zone and field-stretching departments. Anyone with even the faintest of football knowledge knows how much Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers offense desperately need reinforcements in those areas.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Rams have already engaged in discussions with Britt on a new contract. There’s a strong likelihood indeed that he stays with St. Louis and head coach Jeff Fisher.

But the 49ers brass has expressed interest in the formerly embattled wideout once before, per ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson, so the possibility of him coming to San Francisco remains.

And since he’s replaced those off-the-field issues with production on the field in 2014, Britt is a much more attractive target in free agency.

Just don’t hold your breath—Baalke signing productive receivers is about as common as a total solar eclipse.

4. Eric Winston, Tackle

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Even after faltering a bit in the playoff matchup versus the Indianapolis Colts, veteran lineman Eric Winston played well overall for the Cincinnati Bengals.

It’s rare when a backup offensive lineman ranks so high on a top-10 free-agency list.

Then again, when a quarterback suffers more sacks than any of his other gun-slinging pals in the NFL, the need for such an asset becomes apparent.

Once regarded as one of the league’s premier units, the 49ers offensive line struggled in 2014. Injuries, instability and a general lack of cohesion led to Colin Kaepernick hitting the turf 52 times and enduring a combined 158 other pressures.

While Kap may have been complicit for some of those numbers, Pro Football Focus notes that it only amounted to 15.

Jonathan Martin, on the other hand, was a complete liability all season long.

The man who filled in for injured right tackle Anthony Davis was responsible for six sacks and 28 total pressures. PFF ranked him in its bottom 25 among NFL tackles due in part to Martin’s fifth-most sacks allowed while playing only 661 snaps.

Not even Jim Harbaugh, his beloved former head coach at Stanford, could help focus the talented but underachieving former second-round pick. Throw in Martin’s $1.04 million cap hit in 2015 and his days in San Francisco are likely over.

And that’s where Eric Winston enters the picture.

The eight-year veteran who didn’t miss a single game between 2007 and 2013 signed with the Cincinnati Bengals late last season. He made his first appearance in Week 14 and started in the final two regular-season contests and Wild Card Round.

Winston didn’t surrender any sacks and earned a positive overall grade from PFF. That’s not too shabby for a guy who sat out for the first three months of the season.

With years of experience, a high football IQ and monstrous 6’6”, 305-pound frame, Winston would bolster the 49ers offensive line as a great swing tackle. He would serve as a huge upgrade over Martin and provide security behind Davis.

Plus, it’s not like the guy’s cap number last season was a mere $134,118 or anything.

The Niners faithful can only hope that a certain ESPN.com report proves false and that Winston doesn’t return to Cincinnati.

3. Tommy Kelly, Defensive Tackle

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The 49ers know firsthand how much veteran defensive lineman Tommy Kelly (No. 95) has left in the tank—and it's a lot.

In the case of this latest selection, the unrivaled determination of a professional athlete shows its glorious face yet again.

Coming off an ACL tear that limited him to five games in 2013, Tommy Kelly signed with the Arizona Cardinals last season. Pervasive doubts over his NFL viability and being cut by the New England Patriots deemed him worthy of just a one-year, $955,000 deal.

It seems the 11-year vet didn’t get the memo.

Kelly appeared in all 17 games for Arizona and started in 14, including the playoffs. He registered 40 tackles, two pass breakups, one sack and an impressive 40 total quarterback pressures.

Those are big-time statistics for a 3-4 defensive end, a position that facilitates for other defenders more often than it accrues numbers of its own.

Pro Football Focus honored those fabulous totals from the 6’6”, 300-pounder with the 17th overall rating among his 46 other positional fellows.

The 49ers, for their part, lost one—if not two—linemen who rated above Kelly in PFF’s rankings. Continued off-the-field trouble forced Ray McDonald (No. 12) out of San Francisco, while Justin Smith (No. 11) doesn’t know if he’ll play in his final contract year in 2015.

ESPN.com’s Paul Gutierrez reports that Trent Baalke will sit down with the Cowboy after the NFL combine with hopes of bringing him back for one more season.

But since that’s simply an unknowable outcome, the 49ers must do their due diligence and prepare for life after No. 94.

Kelly, as such, would help fill that football void. He would supply some of the raw numbers while providing depth and valuable leadership to young guns Tank Carradine, Quinton Dial and Kaleb Ramsey.

And for all the doubt surrounding Jim Tomsula’s abilities as a rookie head coach, inspiring the best out of his defensive linemen is one of his strong suits.

Baalke must ensure that Kelly materializes as his latest gridiron-wrecking pupil.

2. Perrish Cox, Cornerback

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Cornerback Perrish Cox (No. 20) hauls in one of his five interceptions during his exceptional 2014 campaign.

Name the cornerback who came into the NFL via the 137th overall selection in 2010, enjoyed nine starts as a rookie, spent his next season away from football, split time between three teams and two division rivals and didn’t start another game until 2014.

Oh, and he registered career highs in every statistical category while making 14 starts and transforming from the sixth defensive back into his squad’s most consistent cover man.

Still nothing?

Perrish Cox, following a rather tumultuous career between the Denver Broncos, 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and back with San Francisco, produced his best season as a pro in 2014. He led NFL corners with five interceptions and compiled team highs with 18 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.

Pro Football Focus awarded his toughness and technique with a positive grade in run defense and the seventh-highest tackling efficiency rate at his position. He also earned the 35th overall ranking among 108 cornerbacks league wide.

And for the icing on the gridiron cake? Cox accomplished those numerical feats while playing under a measly one-year, $645,000 deal.

Over 150 contracted corners may or may not have enjoyed better monetary benefits.

On the heels of such a fruitful 2014 campaign at just 28 years of age with three accrued seasons, Cox is due a considerable increase in salary. And the 49ers must pay it.

Teammate and fellow free-agent Chris Culliver compiled similar numbers and evolved into the Niners No. 1 corner. Although he also has three accrued seasons, the South Carolina product is two years younger and came into the league two rounds and 57 picks higher in the 2011 draft.

Translation? He’ll command a substantially more costly deal.

By letting Culliver walk and signing a sufficiently productive but more affordable Cox, the 49ers can bring back Chris Cook and have money left over for their other needs.

Niners president and cap strategist Paraag Marathe must pave the financial path, while general manager Trent Baalke gives the final authorization.

With the generally chaotic nature on the offensive side of the ball, the 49ers must ensure their defense remains top-notch.

Re-signing Cox will help make that possible.

1. Frank Gore, Running Back

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A picture's worth a thousand words—and Gore is worth another 1,000 yards rushing in 2015.

If nothing else, if literally every other need falls by the wayside over this already comically absurd offseason, the 49ers must do one thing: They must re-sign the franchise’s all-time leading rusher and fundamental core of this team’s offense for the past decade.

They must bring back Frank Gore.

He is fresh off a 2014 campaign in which he exploded for 302 yards over the final two games en route to amassing 1,106 yards and four touchdowns. He compiled the eighth 1,000-yard season of his career at 30 years old, the age that most running backs have already experienced their gridiron demise.

But not for No. 21—not the indestructible 5’9”, 214-pounder who still slips through tiny openings and falls forward for as many yards as any back in the league.

The guy can still run, pass-protect, catch balls out of the backfield and facilitate an offense, especially one with as many issues as the 49ers.

He may have slipped to No. 26 in Pro Football Focus’ rankings, but not even those reputable statisticians can deny his continuing effectiveness as an NFL back.

The 49ers went 7-1 when Gore tallied at least 16 carries this past season. The only loss came when the usually reliable defense did the unthinkable and coughed up two separate 14-point leads.

And despite earlier reports that suggested Gore would likely become a free-agent casualty, Niners front-office leader Trent Baalke recently spoke to the contrary.

“It’s at the same place it was the last time we talked,” Baalke, said via CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. “We’re still working on it. It’s not something that’s going to get done yesterday. It’ll take some time to resolve.”

But...

“It’s our intention to have Frank back,” Baalke added.

Gore must do his part and accept less than the $6 million-plus he’s been paid for the past three seasons. He must respect the presence of second-year man Carlos Hyde and let him enjoy ample playing time.

But seeing that Gore is widely known as being one of the more selfless, team-first and honorable players the NFL has ever seen, he’ll hold up his end of the bargain.

Baalke and the 49ers brass must do the same and prevent what will otherwise go down as one of the most disastrous transitions in Niners history.

All team and player statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference unless otherwise noted. All contract information courtesy of OverTheCap.com. Advanced metrics provided by Pro Football Focus. 

Joe Levitt is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, waxing academic, colloquial and statistical eloquence on the San Francisco 49ers. Follow him on Twitter @jlevitt16