Two Free Agents The 49ers Should Consider Signing
The 49ers are 4-4 heading into the bye week and will have nine games to compete for the wide-open NFC West. To ensure they have the best chance possible for a potential Super Bowl push, here are two free agents the team should consider adding to this roster.
Defensive Tackle, Ndamukong Suh
The 49ers have suffered many injuries this season including some nagging injuries to their interior defensive line. Both of their starting defensive tackles, Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw, have been out for multiple weeks. During their absence, the 49ers have struggled to rush the passer from the interior as well as stop runs up the middle at times. Adding more depth provides more insurance as Kinlaw’s status remains in question for the remainder of the season. Armstead however, should be back after the bye week, but who knows?
Ndamukong Suh would provide a certain type of nastiness to this already physically imposing defense that is needed on the interior of the line. With both edge rushers Nick Bosa and Samson Ebukam providing pressure on the tackles, it would be special to have a pair of Armstead and Suh rushing the passer from the interior with Kinlaw in the mix if he’s healthy.
Rumors circulated that the 49ers were engaging in trade talks with the Washington Commanders for DT Daron Payne before the deadline. If that’s true, then clearly the Niners are seeking another upgrade at the position. Suh who is 35 years old may have worn-out tires, but his veteran experience would be valuable to this defensive line.
Suh throughout his career has tallied 70.5 sacks, 590 tackles with 130 of them being tackles-for-loss and 212 career quarterback hits. Clearly, the three-time all-pro has a knack for getting in the backfield. Something the 49ers enjoy doing.
Wide Receiver, Odell Beckham Jr.
This one might seem like the flashiest addition the 49ers can make. Beckham has been one of the most naturally talented wide receivers the game has seen since he entered the league in 2014. The Niners currently have very talented pass catchers in Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle and now Christian McCaffrey. So why add Odell Beckham Jr. who is coming off an ACL tear in February? Because Odell’s most valuable trait he’d bring to San Francisco is what he’s most known for, his hands.
The 49ers have an achilles heel at the wide receiver position and that is drops. Jauan Jennings who last season was a reliable third-down target, is dropping about 20 percent of his targets this season. Deebo Samuel is second worst on the team in drop percentage, dropping a career-high 13 percent of his targets. Samuel is also averaging one drop per game this season which doesn’t help a team whose offense has been the main issue.
While McCaffrey is versatile, you don’t want to solely rely on him to keep the chains moving and score in the red zone. Odell Beckham Jr. gives you another reliable threat on the field. Last season, Beckham was able to catapult the Rams’ offense by opening up the field more for Cooper Kupp with his presence. Beckham was also performing very well in the Super Bowl and looked like he’d possibly win Super Bowl MVP before he went down with the ACL injury.
Beckham has had a drop percentage of only 2.4 and 2.3 percent in 2020 and 2021. He also didn’t drop a single pass during his time with the Rams last season. With Jimmy Garoppolo, it’d be nice to have someone like Odell line up in the slot on third down or a goal-to-go red-zone opportunity. Similar to how Kendrick Bourne was once his safety blanket in those situations, Beckham can at minimum fill that role.
They could sign Odell Beckham Jr. and get him acclimated with the offense in time for the playoffs to make a push and you better believe Shanahan will find a way to get him open. If Ray Ray-McCloud and Jauan Jennings have been on the field running routes, there is room for Beckham, should both parties come together for a deal.
Will the 49ers continue to upgrade the roster through free agency? Don’t be surprised. After trading a handful of picks for superstar running back Christian McCaffrey, John Lynch has made it clear this team is all-in. It is even possible the Niners could sign both if it’s what they desire. But we’ll have to wait and see.