San Francisco 49ers Free Agency 2015: Tracking Signings and Rumored Contracts

A .500 campaign one season ago and the departure of Jim Harbaugh to the collegiate ranks were just appetizers before a rocky offseason for the San Francisco 49ers.   

Call it an identity crisis and one of the league's most unexpected rebuilds. Running back Frank Gore, the face of the franchise since 2005, will head to the Indianapolis Colts, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Mike Iupati has signed with Arizona, per Schefter, and star linebacker Patrick Willis has retired.

To usher in a new era and remain competitive in the NFC West, perhaps the league's best division, general manager Trent Baalke and the front office have a lot work ahead of and past Tuesday's market opening.

Continue for updates.

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Torrey Smith, 49ers Agree to Five-Year Deal

Tuesday, March 10

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Smith and the 49ers have agreed to a five-year deal, while Pro Football Talk reported the deal is $40 million with $22 million guaranteed.

This is the first big trip to the market for the former Maryland star. In four seasons with the Ravens, he never missed a game while acting as one of the league's most dangerous deep threats, catching 213 passes for 3,591 yards and 30 touchdowns with a gaudy 16.9 yards per catch.

If Smith joins the 49ers, he will serve in the same capacity and stretch defenses in a vertical manner, opening things up for others. Of course, he will also be a top big-play target for Colin Kaepernick's booming arm.

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49ers Re-Sign Derek Carrier

Monday, March 9

The front office in San Francisco is serious about its depth at tight end behind Vernon Davis and Vance McDonald, which has been made apparent by Monday's extension for Derek Carrier.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee shared the news on Twitter:

Carrier, 24, entered the league in 2012 as an undrafted free agent. He played 194 snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus—where he received positive grades in the overall and run-blocking categories—before landing on injured reserve thanks to a foot ailment.  

Considering Davis missed two games last season and McDonald appeared in eight before also heading to injured reserve, the 49ers made sure to retain a high-upside reserve on the chance an injury bug strikes again.

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49ers Re-Sign Kyle Nelson

Friday, March 6

While not a franchise-changing move, the 49ers struck an extension with long snapper Kyle Nelson ahead of free agency, per ESPN's Adam Caplan:

Nelson, 28, is a productive deep snapper for the 49ers. Continuity is key on special teams, so locking up the New Mexico State product through his age-32 season was a priority for the front office.

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49ers Re-Sign Garrett Celek

Friday, March 6 

Depth is the name of the game for the 49ers at tight end this offseason, and they like veteran Garrett Celek enough to keep him around.

Per Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, the two sides came to an agreement on a one-year contract:

Celek has eight total catches over the course of his three seasons with the team, but he provides a strong run-blocking presence. He'll play an instrumental role in certain packages if those in front of him on the depth chart miss time.

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49ers Re-sign Michael Wilhoite and Tony Jerod-Eddie

Friday, March 6

With so much roster turnover in San Francisco this offseason, it shouldn't be a shock to hear that the front office is hard at work to keep players who know the system and are proven contributors.

Maiocco reported that the 49ers have put ink to paper with linebacker Michael Wilhoite and defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie, saying that on Friday they had "tendered exclusive-rights free agents Michael Wilhoite and Tony Jerod-Eddie to retain their contract rights for the 2015 season."

Wilhoite is the name to know. Last year was his third season with the team, and the former Washburn standout put on a show with Patrick Willis in and out of the lineup and NaVorro Bowman out for the season, coming in second place on the team by year's end with 87 total tackles.

Depending on how the offseason unfolds, the 49ers may call on him once again to act as a key contributor next season.

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49ers sign Jerome Simpson

Thursday, March 5

With Michael Crabtree headed to free agency, the 49ers aren't wasting any time shoring up the wideout corps.

According to ESPN's Field Yates, the 49ers agreed to terms with veteran wideout Jerome Simpson Thursday:

The acrobatic Simpson last surfaced in 2013, appearing in 16 games with the Minnesota Vikings and catching 48 passes on 102 targets for 726 yards and one touchdown. He will be a depth option with the 49ers barring a lack of further additions at the position.

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49ers sign Darnell Dockett

Thursday, March 5

The 49ers know a thing or two about Darnell Dockett, the longtime Arizona Cardinals defensive end who for 10 seasons has terrorized the quarterbacks of the NFC West before missing last year due to injury.

San Francisco is willing to roll the dice on the 33-year-old defender at this point, as NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports the sides have come to a two-year agreement:

Dockett can be a strong rotational contributor for San Francisco, or at the very least provide a strong locker room presence that is in the middle of a serious makeover. His 40.5 career sacks are proof enough that he'll generate pressure on a consistent basis.     

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of March 9. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.