The San Francisco 49ers entered last week with nearly $13 million in salary-cap space. Since then, the team has cleared out some tied-up cash with moves like trading away defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, releasing guard Mike Person, and restructuring running back Jerick McKinnon's deal.
The team also re-signed several key players, like defensive end Arik Armstead and safety Jimmie Ward.
Before the moves, the 49ers ranked No. 27 — or the sixth-least — when it came to salary-cap space. Where does the team stand now?
According to Albert Breer of The MMQB, and per a report from the NFL, San Francisco now has nearly $19.5 million in salary-cap space with which to work. That moves the team to the ninth-least amount of salary cap space, or No. 24 when it comes to total salary-cap wiggle room.
Per the NFL's internal cap report, 10 teams with least space as of this AM.
1. Chiefs $555K
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 23, 2020
2. Patriots $2.80M
3. Saints $9.02M
4. Steelers $10.64M
5. Falcons $14.28M
6. Packers $14.80M
7. Cardinals $15.71M
8. Ravens $17.42M
9. Niners $19.49M
10. Rams $19.65M
Don't expect the 49ers to hear that and go on a spending spree. The team has mostly focused on maintaining its Super Bowl contending roster and bringing back many of its own players. The 49ers let veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders walk. He would have eaten up a good chunk of that salary-cap space had he been retained. The fact that next month's draft has one of the deepest receiver classes in recent years likely had a lot to do with that.
San Francisco owns two first-round selections. It has its own at No. 31 but also acquired the No. 13 overall pick from the Indianapolis Colts with the trade of Buckner.
And for those hoping for a trade for Odell Beckham Jr., remember that he is due to earn $14.25 million in 2020.
Instead, the 49ers will probably shift focus on locking up more of their core young talent, like All-Pro tight end George Kittle, who is primed to become the highest-paid tight end in the league.
