The 49ers' Budget for Free Agency
The 49ers currently have the most expensive roster in the NFL, which means they don't have much salary cap space. At least not yet.
According to 49ers cap guru Jason Hurley, the 49ers are just $601,918 under the cap, which isn't enough to sign a player to the veteran's minimum contract. But they can create cap space by releasing aging veterans such as Kyle Juszczyk, which is unlikely. They also can create cap space by restructuring contracts, which is quite likely.
If the 49ers restructure Deebo Samuel's contract, they can create $15.1 million in cap space. And if they also restructure Charvarius Ward's contract, they can create an additional $9 million in cap space, which would give them almost $25 million to sign their draft picks and make one big signing in free agency.
And the signing should be a starting defensive end. Not a third-down pass rusher who can't defend the run such as Chase Young. He can kick rocks. The 49ers need an edge rusher who can set the edge against the run as well, because Nick Bosa is the only one they have. When DeMeco Ryans was the defensive coordinator, they had Samson Ebukam as well, and he was excellent against the run. The 49ers should sign someone like him.
Houston Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard would be a great signing. He played for Ryans last season, which means he fits the Wide 9. He's good against the run, and he had 12.5 sacks last season. If he's not too expensive, the 49ers could get him. Otherwise, they could sign an older veteran like Jadeveon Clowney.
Either way, expect the 49ers to sign a serious defensive end soon.
