4 Free Agents the 49ers Should Re-Sign
Plenty of decisions will be made by the San Francisco 49ers when free agency comes around in a little over two weeks.
21 decisions to be exact as that is how many players are slated to become free agents. Not everyone will be re-signed for various reasons. One of those reasons is because the 49ers will be prioritizing some over the others. Here are the four free agents that should be the top priority for the 49ers to bring back.
DT Javon Kinlaw
The career of Javon Kinlaw has been underwhelming and even disappointing. However, that has been mainly because of the injuries has constantly sustained. This past season was the first ever that he got to play a full season. And boy, did he prove to be a key role player on the defensive line. Attaining the first round impact that the 49ers drafted him in likely won't ever be there for him.
But Kinlaw has proved he can give the 49ers some fine impact with how he commands and even disrupts double teams. Having a player like that is useful for the 49ers. Kinlaw should be able to come back on a cheap deal as well. I'd imagine a one-year $4 million deal with incentives will get it done and one that the 49ers should covet. Given how he looked in his first full season played, I'd lean towards the deal ending up being a bargain with Kinlaw improving.
DE Clelin Ferrell
Never would I have imagined that Clelin Ferrell would've become a sweet role player for the 49ers, but that is exactly what happened. He made me eat my words by proving strong in run defense and capable as a pass rusher. When he sustained his torn meniscus injury in the playoffs, his absence was felt. That proves that he is a player worth bringing back.
The only concern is with his injury and how he bounces back from it, but that is exactly why the 49ers should re-sign him. His cost will be around the same as it was when they signed him last year, which was $2.5 million. Maybe the 49ers will bump it to $3 million or load it up with incentives. Either way, Ferrell should be viewed as an important player for the 49ers to bring back to avoid more holes on the defensive line.
OL Jon Feliciano
There is a case to be made that Jon Feliciano was the second best offensive lineman for the 49ers this season. Being able to fill in at both left and right guard was a life saver. Feliciano would eventually hold onto the right guard starting role, and that is what the 49ers should be looking for in 2024.
Spencer Burford isn't the answer at the position, and while Feliciano isn't the long-term answer either, he at least is a contingency there for the 49ers. That way the 49ers can look to the draft for their future at the position. They have always had a solid swing offensive lineman and Feliciano is that guy that they need to retain.
WR Jauan Jennings
I have to admit that I was a little reluctant to put Jauan Jennings on here. For starters, he is a restricted free agent, so it is likely he returns. It all depends on the draft tender they put on him. I'd suspect the 49ers place a second round tender on Jennings. It will practically guarantee the 49ers that he returns. However, will they feel comfortable paying him nearly $5 million?
He is certainly worth that, and maybe some more, but he is the third best wide receiver on the 49ers and the fifth/sixth featured option on the offense. Jennings is kind of a luxury at this point and not a necessity. It really all depends if the 49ers feel they can get someone young or sign someone cheaper. But in the end, I think they will lean towards bringing him back and they won't end up feeling any regret about it as opposed to letting him walk.
