Should the 49ers Place a Waiver Claim on TE Zach Ertz?

An intriguing player is hitting the waiver wire.

The Arizona Cardinals are granting veteran tight end Zach Ertz his release at his request. Ertz has spent the last four weeks on Injured Reserve due to a quad strain. Arizona no longer needs Ertz as a starter thanks to the emergence of his backup Trey McBride.

Now that he is healthy, he is looking for a playoff contending team to sign with. However, he must go through waivers first to be a free agent, which I doubt happens. Whoever picks up Ertz will owe him $2.5 million for the rest of the season. That's not a bad cost at all for a guy who can give some adequate snaps to a contending offense. That contending offense could be the San Francisco 49ers.

So, should the 49ers place a waiver claim on Ertz?

Absolutely. The 49ers offense is easily one of the best in the league, but that does not mean they cannot add pieces if they are there, especially at the cost Ertz will come at. Adding Ertz will give the 49ers that desired dynamic duo at tight end that they wanted back in 2020 with George Kittle and Jordan Reed. They can accomplish that desire with a claim on Ertz to pair him up with Kittle. I'm sure Kyle Shanahan's imagination will run wild with those two.

Now, Ertz is not in his prime anymore. He wasn't lighting it up prior to going on Injured Reserve. He currently has 27 catches for 187 yards and one touchdown. But he's not going to be a top option in the 49ers offense, which makes him valuable as a fourth or fifth option in the offense. Unfortunately, I am not confident that the 49ers will be able to acquire Ertz. Plenty of playoff teams in need of tight end help, or any offensive help, will look to add him.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Dallas Cowboys try to pick him up. And should any team get to him, then the 49ers will be fine so long as he does not reach the Eagles. The only way for that to happen is if the 49ers did not place a waiver claim on him, and I feel strongly that the Eagles will do so. Odds aren't in the 49ers favor to be awarded Ertz, but they should still try.

At least as a means to prevent him from going to the Eagles.