Where the 49ers’ roster stands as free agency and new league year officially begin
At the close of the regular season, the 49ers all but said goodbye to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, tackle Mike McGlinchey, defensive back Jimmie Ward and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
All have reportedly agreed to terms with other teams during the negotiating period and can officially sign contracts Wednesday at the start of the new league year — Garoppolo with the Las Vegas Raiders, McGlinchey with the Denver Broncos while Ward joins former defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans in Houston and Al-Shaair heads to Tennessee.
Those losses were factored in by coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch to the cost of doing business under the salary cap.
Two more players — cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (Detroit) and defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway (Houston) will also depart, with Moseley being a mild surprise coming off an ACL tear in Week 5.
An important piece of the offensive line was brought back in center Jake Brendel, while others scheduled for free agency who re-upped were defensive lineman Kevin Givens, tackle/guard Colton McKivitz, free safety Tashaun Gipson and long-snapper Taybor Pepper.
Here’s how the 49ers roster shapes up with free agency hitting a second wave and the draft coming up April 27-29:
QUARTERBACK (3) – Trey Lance, Sam Darnold, Brock Purdy
The 49ers will need a camp arm or two with Purdy sidelined until late August/early September. Lots of drama here. The 49ers would love to justify their 2021 selection of Lance and have him seize the moment. Darnold is in the best situation he’s ever had and Purdy built up considerable equity with what he did in 2022.
Pending free agents: Josh Johnson
Potential targets: Nick Mullens (Minnesota), Tim Boyle (Chicago)
RUNNING BACK (5) – Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk (FB), Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, Ty Davis-Price
That’s a decent stable of backs but attrition at the position is a yearly concern. The 49ers are fine here, health permitting.
Potential targets: Marlon Mack (Denver), Matt Breida (N.Y. Giants).
WIDE RECEIVER (8) – Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud, Danny Gray, Tay Martin, Dazz Newsome, Tyron Johnson.
Not much to see here in terms of change. The hope is Gray can harness his speed, contribute and be the no-doubt-about-it fifth receiver to go along with Samuel, Aiyuk, Jennings and McCloud.
Potential targets: Demarcus Robinson (Baltimore), N’Keal Harry (Chicago)
TIGHT END (2) – George Kittle, Charlie Woerner
Kittle plays with such abandon that depth his hugely important because it takes a lot to get him through a full season. Woerner didn’t catch a pass but was in for 85 percent of all special teams snaps.
Pending free agents: Ross Dwelley, Tyler Kroft, Jordan Mathews
Potential targets: Dalton Schultz (Dallas), Austin Hooper (Tennessee).
OFFENSIVE LINE (9) – LT Trent Williams, LG Aaron Banks, C Jake Brendel, RG Spencer Burford, RT Colton McKivitz, T Jaylon Moore, T Leroy Watson, G Jason Poe, T Alfredo Gutierrez.
Barring a surprise, McKivitz will slide in for McGlinchey at right tackle and young linemen will arrive through the draft. Losing Daniel Brunskill to Tennessee, given his versatility and ability to play anywhere on the offensive line, was a body blow.
Potential targets: T Greg Little (Miami), G Isaac Seumalo (Philadelphia).
DEFENSIVE LINE (8) – DE Nick Bosa, DT Javon Hargrave, DT Arik Armstead, DE Drake Jackson, T Kevin Givens, T Javon Kinlaw, T Kalia Davis, E Alex Barrett.
The big-ticket item arrived with Hargrave but there’s a lot to sort out here. Don’t rule out the return of a pending free agent or three. Bosa, Hargrave and Armstead will lead the unit. Those who can play both end and tackle are preferred. Samson Ebukam reportedly has agreed to a three-year deal with Indianapolis and Charles Omenihu is expected to sign with the Chiefs.
Pending free agents: DE-DT Kerry Hyder Jr., DE Jordan Willis, DT T.Y. McGill, DT Maurice Hurst
Potential targets: DE Bud Dupree (Tennessee), DE-DT Clelin Ferrell (Las Vegas), DE Yannick Ngakoue (Indianapolis)
LINEBACKERS (6) – OLB Dre Greenlaw, MLB, Fred Warner, OLB Oren Burks, MLB Demetrius Flanigan-Fowles, OLB Marcelino McCreary Ball, OLB Curtis Robinson.
With Warner and Greenlaw seizing most of the snaps, not much is needed here other than special teams and young projects who can run and hit. The draft could bring in two or three candidates.
Potential targets: Nicholas Morrow (Chicago), Cory Littleton (Carolina)
DEFENSIVE BACKS (11) – CB Charvarius Ward, FS Tashaun Gipson, SS Talanoa Hufanga, CB Deommodore Lenoir, CB Samuel Womack, CB Ambry Thomas, S George Odum, CB Tre Swilling, S Tayler Hawkins, CB A.J. Parker, CB Qwantrezz Knight.
The 49ers appear to have settled on Lenoir as the starter opposite Ward. Gipson and Hufanga blended quickly last season and are together for another season. The search for a nickel back will focus on Womack at first.
Pending free agents: S Tarvarius Moore, CB Dontae Johnson, CB Jason Verrett
Potential targets: CB Rock Ya-Sin (Las Vegas), S Juston Burris (Carolina)
SPECIALISTS (2) – P Mitch Wishnowsky, LS Taybor Pepper
Robbie Gould has declared he’s not returning, so the 49ers will have a new regular place kicker for the first time since 2016 through either free agency or the draft.
Pending free agents: Robbie Gould
Potential targets: Eddy Piñeiro (Carolina), Mason Crosby (Green Bay)