The 49ers currently have approximately $25 million in salary-cap space with free agency set to begin at 9:01 p.m. (PT) tomorrow night.
Don't expect anything memorable like a year ago when this blog posted a report about the first free agent to switch teams. The post was time-stamped at 9:27 p.m. Teams -- and players speaking to the media -- will probably be a little more discreet this year.
Here is a rundown of the 49ers' scheduled free agents:
Unrestricted free agents
The 49ers have exclusive negotiating rights to these players up to the opening of free agency. Then, these players would be free to sign with any team.
LB Takeo Spikes: The 49ers are having "positive" talks with Spikes. There appears to be a strong chance he will return.
WR Bryant Johnson: The sides are not negotiating. GM Scot McCloughan said he feels good about the depth in the draft. The club wants to add speed on the outside through free agency or the draft. If Johnson lingers and lingers and lingers and the 49ers have not found anyone, they could revisit the situation.
RB DeShaun Foster: See above. Foster finds himself in the same situation as Johnson. The 49res figure to add someone in the draft to fill this role. McCloughan said there are a lot of good running backs available to help share the load with Frank Gore.
KR/PR Allen Rossum: He is 33 years old, but he remains an option for the 49ers after putting together a solid season.
DT Ronald Fields: He did not make much of an impact, but nose tackles are hard to find. He will probably get more money than you'd expect on the open market.
QB J.T. O'Sullivan: The 49ers are moving forward with Shaun Hill and, presumably, Alex Smith. Not surprisingly, coach Mike Singletary said O'Sullivan does not fit in the team's plans right now.
CB Donald Strickland: The 49ers really like Strickland, and he there seems to be no good reason why he would not return.
DE Roderick Green: He had a disappointing season, and then got into hot water recently in his hometown. This is a spot the 49ers will look to upgrade.
TE Billy Bajema: It's getting to the point Bajema is getting a little too expensive for his role. He made $927,000 this season as a blocking specialist.
OT Damane Duckett: They've invested a lot of time after conversion from defensive line to offense. They might as well give him one final shot.
TE Sean Ryan: He did a pretty good job as an H-back/fullback type late in the season, but there is no rush to re-sign him.
QB Jamie Martin: He will not be back.
Restricted free agents
The 49ers do not have any restricted free agents because in 2006, the team began doing four-year contracts on draft picks. So the 49ers won't have another restricted free agent from an original draft pick.
Exclusive rights free agents
This player has fewer than three years of accrued NFL service and the 49ers own exclusive negotiating rights.
FB Zak Keasey: He'll likely be kept around to compete for a job, though the new power-running-game offense does not exactly play to his strengths.
* * *
Under contract, but issues looming . . .
QB Alex Smith: He is scheduled to earn $9.625 million in base salary with a scheduled cap figure on the books of $12.291M. Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye has already sent him pages from the playbook. The difference of Smith's scheduled base salary and his new base salary will be the cap savings realized. (If released, he would account for a $5.333 million cap hit, thus creating nearly $7M in cap space.)
OT Jonas
* * *
Which of those FAs will probably count as losses regarding compensatory picks in 2010? Ronald Fields? Bryant Johnson? Donald Strickland?
Will the 49ers have to pay Jennings some kind of injury settlement if they release him now?
Regarding the DT position... it's been awhile since I've heard anything about Balmer's projected position. Is it looking like he'll be the NT 'of the future', or is he going to stay at DE? Will that have an impact on what they do with Fields?
You suggested that the team wasn't high on Brian Orapko. Can you please elaborate on this point. I'd like to know what leads you to believe this.
Philly, I think the Niners would have to pay an injury settlement. I apologize though because I don't remember where I read it. Either this blog or Barrows blog.
shootme:
hey my guess bud is Balmer is looking more like a DE in a 3-4 system, which i believe we are suppose to be a true 3-4 this year. At 6-5 315 thats not a typical Nose in a 3-4, i think anyway we would want someone a little bigger, stockyer n powerful to fill the middle.... just this guys guess.
Matt,
Guess we all need to hang in there until Friday and then let the dollars begin to fly.
Regards,
Michael
ShaneO,
For sure Balmer is built for an End position not NT. He's just too tall to play that position.As I said before if the top 2 OT's & Orakpo are gone by the time the 49ers pick then they should draft NT Raji or try to trade out of the 1st round to get multiple picks.
Agree with you F49er, we should get Raji or trade down. At this point after the combine and the results on many of the high rated players I dont see any impact player from the first year in the top of the board.
Maybe Raji is one of them, but even at him I have my doubts.
I wanted them to go for Everette Brown, but after the reports looks like he could struggle in the NFL. I dont know how his size would matter that much. He is aggresive, strong and fast.
But if he will be no factor or impact player, let's trade down and get more quality picks from rounds 2-4.
Do you have info on Smith's new base salary or are you just saying, hypothetically, that if Smith's original was 9.625 and his new is, say, 2.625, that the cap savings would be 7M?
I was thinking the same, but wasn't sure what would happen if he put on 30lbs or so. This is also assuming the numbers on the team site are current. He may have been putting on weight already.
Long time reader, first time posting. Matt I wanted your opinion on Pat White out of West Virginia. He was great during the senior bowl and had one of the best workouts at the QB position during the combine, so maybe a change of position is not needed. He will also probably be available somewhere in the middle rounds and is a running QB which would seem to be a perfect fit to what the 49ers want. He can be the guy young 3rd QB they have to develop. So what do you think, is Pat White on the niners radar?
I'd like to see the 9ers keep Spikes, Rossum, Strickland, and Bajema. The truth of the matter though is that losing every one of these guys wouldn't change the teams record next year. I guess thats a good thing.
Question: Do you have info on Smith's new base salary or are you just saying, hypothetically, that if Smith's original was 9.625 and his new is, say, 2.625, that the cap savings would be 7M?
My response: Yes, I was just explaining that the difference between new and old base salary of 2009 will be the amount of cap savings the 49ers will realize. --Matt M.
Question: So what do you think, is Pat White on the niners radar?
My response: I think Pat White is on every team's radar. He is definitely a guy who will be watched closely over the next eight weeks to determine where he fits. --Matt M.
I don't think Balmer is too tall, he just isn't big enough overall. Ted Washington was 6-5 and 350 and considered to be a protypically sized NT.
Agree with you F49er, we should get Raji or trade down. At this point after the combine and the results on many of the high rated players I dont see any impact player from the first year in the top of the board.
Maybe Raji is one of them, but even at him I have my doubts.
I wanted them to go for Everette Brown, but after the reports looks like he could struggle in the NFL. I dont know how his size would matter that much. He is aggresive, strong and fast.
But if he will be no factor or impact player, let's trade down and get more quality picks from rounds 2-4, they are also less expensive.
Matt, according to what you heard you just mentioned who is NOT in our radar or we might not be very interested.
What is your feeling on who is in our radar specially for pick 10? I know you only report and your feeling is not what will happen, but you are in the inside and for sure have a much better idea than all of us...
The way I see it there are seven elite prospects who won't be there when we pick at #10...J.Smith, Monroe, Stafford, Raji, Rak, Crabtree, and Curry. That leaves us choosing between the top db's, Sanchez, Oher, A.Smith, and maybe E.Brown. I think we go with a tackle at this point...Oher or A.Smith. Any opinion on this take Matt?
Roscoe,
The problem with Balmer is in order to be a very effective NT you have to have a strong center of gravity & the ability to player lower to the ground so you can have the leverage advantage on your opponent. Balmer doesn't have that type of body but Raji certainly does have it. He's a true NT playing in his natural position. That was part of Nolan's problem when he was here trying to force a player to play out of position.
Watching Sanchez throw at the combine shows me he might get killed in the NFL because he seems to wind up before he throws. That split second is huge at this level.
I would take Maclin at 10 and draft Alex Mack
C from Cal in Rd 2 and slide Heitmann over to G.
Roaringback - So which current starting Guard are you benching and how do you solve our RT issues with that scenario? BTW - when we have one of the best centers in teh NFL, why move him or change? This team is going RB with that #2 pick.
Mack will be long gone by the 2nd round.
Better C prospect than Mangold and he went late first.
Don't know why $927,000 is too much to pay Billy Bajema to be a blocking TE when we pay Vernon Davis $3.8 million to be a blocking TE. They are both a crap pass catchers & to be honest I'd love to see the 49ers trade VD and keep Bajema. Bajema is cheaper, isn't a pain in anyone's ass and is a good blocker. If Davis continues to drop balls that come his way and be a malcontent on the field; I think this is the last year we will be able to trade Vernon Davis and get good value for him. I say trade Davis for a second rounder, use Bajema as our blocking TE & Delanie Walker as our pass catching TE.
Not to get in the way of hating on Vernon Davis but am I the only one that read Matt's breakdown of receptions by 49er receivers. It seemed to show VD catching between 60-70% of passes thrown to him. That put in him in the middle of the pack for our receivers. He seems to have trouble getting his hands up on fly patterns and it makes one wonder why Martz kept sending him on that route but otherwise he was fine last season with limited opportunities.
Link for those that missed the article
Some boards have Unger as the first Center
that'll be drafted If Mack falls to us then we should snap him up.
Mike in SF
Heitmann was a very good G too when Newberry was playing C. I would give Snyder or Wragge
a shot at RT or sign a FA.
Why not draft a good RT with that pick and leave Bass and Chilo right where they are? When we still have a lot of team needs, why would you EVER draft for a high pick in the one position where we have a pro bowl caliber starter and a good back up we drafted last year.
BTW - On the Vernon subject - did you guys see the Singletary sound bites during the Combine regarding Vernon? He loves the kid. He could not stop praising how much he likes him. I think this will be a BIG year for Vernon. Most NFL tight ends are not asked to make those catched VD was thrown deep last year (sans Gonzo, Gates, and a few others). I like the fire and attitude Vernon brings to this team and offense.
I would be very surprised if a team has Unger over Mack at C, Unger was terrible at C in Senior Bowl practices. Give me Unger over Herman Johnson and Duke Robison at G anyday though.
Snyder or Wragge at RT is a recipe for disaster. Snyder is a much better left sided player and Wragge is clearly backup RG material.
Would love to see T.Spikes return he's still got gas in the tank and from all indications is a good influence on P.Willis-A.Rossum yes -Srickland yes-Bajema is a faithful 49er with middling talent -his position will be determined in the additions forthcoming!As far as the draft goes who knows about the first round-trading for picks sounds attractive but if Oher is there(and might well be!) or even A."Dunderhead"Smith wouldn't be surprised to see OT needs addressed! However 2nd rounders are looking pretty darned good L.Murta OT /Connor Barwin DE /J.Gilbert DE/OLB wowsville -can hardly wait for draft time!
Totally agree with this, we have WAY too many needs to address this offseason, why mess with the things that are working. I too expect big things from Vernon and like his intensity on the field. But I can definitely do without his damn celebrations after every single catch.
Murtha is nowhere near a 2nd rounder. He was UDFA entering the combine and may have helped himself a round or 2.
I think you have Barwin and Gilbert mixed up. Barwin is a hyrbid E/OLB and Gilbert is a DL. Barwin is someone interesting if he's available and the 49ers didn't pick a pass rusher with #10. I actually kind of hope this happens.
Murtha WAS a projected 6/7 rounder but with 3rd best OT combine results maybe 2nd round is overenthusiastic but wouldn't be surprised if he moves up to third round .I think if you check the Big Boards at Nfl Draft Dog or Nfl Draft Scout J.Gilbert AND Barwin are considered DE prospects(I am aware Gilbert played DL in college) you are correct about me inverting OLB indication from Barwin to Gilbert tho thanks for the correction!
Heitmann's heir apparent is already on the team. Invisible in his rookie year, but his time will come. Cody Wallace is his name. Instead of another C, they need an OT who could give Adam Snyder a run for the job.
Absolutely gw2-I really think C is out of the picture considering we have Heitman and Wallace-I presume OT and pass rusher are of paramount importance (as noted by Coach Singletary in his Combine interview) Andre Smith's Pro Day may be a crucial factor in how things proceed from the top!
FOR CLARIFICATION:
NFL teams value height at defensive end. HOWEVER, it matters much less for 3-4 linebacker. For proof, see: Harrison, James; Timmons, Lawrence; Woodley, LaMarr.
Seriously, if the niners were looking at Brown I doubt his 'new' size will affect their thinking at all.
Matt,in keeping with the BPA philosophy, could you see a surprise pick at 10 being RB/WR/TE?
When you spell out the Jimmy Raye/Tom Rathman combo, I see a distinct possibility that the WCO could be something worth looking into.
Add the FB, grab Pettigrew? Not sure if the system places a TE in the Top 10, but simply playing Devils' advo here, if the top tier OTs vanish, and the DEs mentioned are not as attractive as suggested, what's left?
I guess we can't predict anything with Sing now, but Scot has not shown any history of trading down.
Of course no one knows and won't show their hand until Draft Day, but 10 is good spot to go either way, select or trade.
Could Knowshon/Beenie be overvalued there?
Pettigrew/Crabtree?
I'm OK with Raji there, but with all the disinformation circulating on Orakpo/Brown, I wonder if a guy like Tyson or Jarron would fill the need further down the pick order?
If Smith falls to us we take him, it he's gone & Oher is still available we take him, if he's gone then its Raji unless he's gone as well. In that case if Stafford is there we take him and if Sanchez is there we wait for trade. This is assuming Orakpo is already gone. Brown I'm not sold on. No way we go running back
in the first unless we trade down and pick Mr. Versatilty-Percy,Percy,Percy.
You guys are scary!! The knowledge on this blog is so cool, Joe Montana cool.
Is there really, now be serious here fellas a chance 9ers draft a QB? It is not even funny to think they would. Major Brain Damage!
I am actually seeing this on a lot of so called experts mock drafts...I just don't get it...
I'm lost when it comes to the QB situation. It seems to me that Smith has skill, but we haven't seen it in a game. O-line, injuries, and lack of playbook stability have really taken a toll on Smith. I could see Sanchez being an okay #10, but I do not think the Niners will pull the trigger.
How about the CB JENKINS from Ohio?
Or maybe Aaron MAYBIN at DE/OLB? This guy looks great, I thought he looked a bit small/slim, but his profile says 250 lbs
I realize Mack is a stud...but we have four guys who can play the position: Heitmann, Wragge, Baas, and Wallace. We also don't need another OG. We do need a stud RT...and I don't care how we get one. Andre Smith could be a dominating player...but his attitude really bothers me. Players who show a lack of work ethic, questionable character, and not enough commitment can be very challenging to coach. It's for those reasons I'd just as soon see Singletary sign one of the younger FA OT's. As for Vernon, I'd expect him to flourish in Raye's offense. He just needs to get the ball in that area between the zones...his athleticism and speed will do the rest. As the skill level at TE and RB improves, players like Bajema and MRob may be in jeopardy. I'd love to see us draft both Shonn Greene or Rashad Jennings (power RB) and Ian Johnson (terrific all-around RB). I'd also rather have Sean Ryan than Bajema, because he can both block and catch.
Jennings would be a good 4th round pick. I think he had a solid Senior Bowl week.
ok peoples how about a word from your buddy ninerindallas.....1st i would like to adress the number ten pick....it's going to be either oher or smith, then they will trade back up into the 1st to either aquire a power runner or a top cornerback. the defensive end sitution will be taking care of by signing chris canty from dallas.
now another possiblity i see is completely trading out of the 1st round to secure an additional 1st round pick in next years draft that way we can pick up terrence cody and the safety mays from usc.
so we will see what we get in the next week or so...
We won't draft Mack b/c Wallace is on the roster. If a top 3 OT is on the market we draft him. The "stud" RT may already be on the team (Staley)
Just so happens I live within shouting distance of Michael Jenkins' hometown and the local paper did a big write up about his Combine efforts.
According to the report, which he provided to the paper, he is being graded as a Safety by many clubs he spoke with.
Looks like Vernon's brother, Vontae is the higher graded CB of the 2, this according to Michael and my local paper.
He feels confident he'll be able to show he has CB skills for the team that Drafts him of course, but he's discouraged at the number of teams slotting him at S.
Not to say it happens, but Jenkins appears to be too slow for CB at the next level.
I have not heard too much chatter about the niners adding a RB this offseason which kind of surpises me. If Singletary wants to go with a two RB approach why are we not hearing about who that second RB might be? Foster is a FA they don't seem to interested in resigning and the other RB's on the roster are not good enough IMO to be that bruising RB Singletary seems to want. I would love for them to pick up Shonn Greene in the second round. He is 5-11 227 with decent speed and put up good number in college. With one of the top tackles @ #10 then follow it up with Greene in the second round...if anybody has other ideas about what the niners should do to incorporate that run first offense I would love to hear about it since I have not heard much about it yet.
Shush about Orakpo...if Mike in SF2 hears you mention that name, he'll post his Orakpo video...for the 67th time this month
Damn-if he does that I'm talkin' about Greg Micheli again-and what was that QB's name again! Franchise ?????
Frank's right,
Enough of the crazy talk about drafting a Center, it makes no sense at all. As Frank mentioned the 49ers have 4 players on the O-line that can play their position so all they need to do is to hopefully address the OT tonight in FA or in the 1st round of the draft. Besides the 49ers didn't draft C Wallace last year to play guard did they?...HELLO!
If Andre Smith drops to us, Take him in a heartbeat. He is the most talented Left Tackle with the body to match since Orlando Pace. Coach will handle him. However I doubt the 9 teams ahead of us are that stupid.
Remember BY STATISTIC we have one of the poorest O Lines in Pass protection in the NFL over the last four seasons combined.
O Line D Line, those are our weaknesses and that fool Nolan never built them in four years. It isn't glamorous, but no QB can succeed without either.
Matt, thanks for replying to my earlier comment.
By your explanation regarding Smith's contract, it stands to reason that if his new base salary is less than $2.625M, then they can get an even bigger cap savings than by cutting him. Is that accurate?
Shaun Rogers....dreaming of acquiring Shaun Rogers
in the same boat. could a second rounder and aubrayo franklin get it done? a man can dream...
Kevin Lynch of the Chron reported that the reason you never saw Wallace play last year was he was getting tossed around in practice like a rag doll. He needs to get bigger and stronger. Why haven't they played Baas more?
I know he's been hurt but isn't this coming season his last contract year?
Heitmann was a superior guard playing alongside Newberry.
If Nack is there in the 2nd round I would find it hard to pass him up.
Just was looking st the Sporting News Mock draft and they have Sanchez going No. 1 to the Lions. Then they have the Raiders taking Alex Mack with their 1st rd pick and the Niners drafting Stafford at 10. Another suprise is the packers taking Larry English at 9.
Question: . . . reported that the reason you never saw Wallace play last year was he was getting tossed around in practice like a rag doll. He needs to get bigger and stronger. Why haven't they played Baas more?
My response: Actually, the reason Wallace did not play last season is because Eric Heitmann was the starter and the 49ers believe he is a very effective center. Wallace did appear to be unsure of himself early in training camp as a rookie, but looked better and better. As for Baas, he started the final nine games of the season, so he could not have played any more than he did in the last half of the season. --Matt M.
Matt
So you think Baas/Snyder are suitable OGs
and there is no need for an upgrade?
If Alex Mack was sitting there in round 2 would you consider taking him?
roaringback,
Matt beat me to the punch about Wallace. He did get more comfortable competing against NFL cailber talent (team mates) as the season progressed. He was a rookie last year & he's only going to get better in his 2nd TC. But you need to get off the whole Guard issue because it's not an issue & I don't see the 49ers drafting a Guard in the first 4 rounds if at all. OT IS the issue.
Hi Matt, out of their own free agents, I could see maybe keeping Strickland, Rossum, and perhaps Spikes, but that is it. I don't expect the team to go after high profile players like Haynesworth or Lewis, but do you see them pursuing a lesser touted free agent maybe for a pass rusher or tackle?