Quarterback Sam Darnold will likely land on another NFL roster in 2024 after spending last season as Brock Purdy's backup with the San Francisco 49ers. While the Niners have not ruled out retaining Chase Young, that will depend on the defensive end's market value.
According to OverTheCap.com, San Francisco has 18 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents. After a Super Bowl appearance, the team may need to make tough decisions in the coming weeks to ensure it remains competitive.
NFL free agency begins at the start of the new league year on Wednesday, March 13, at 1 p.m. PT. However, teams can start negotiating with impending free agents two days earlier, on Monday, March 11.
The following 49ers' offensive players are set to become unrestricted free agents, and the Pro Football Focus grades they earned during the 2023 season:
- QB Brandon Allen (N/A)
- WR Chris Conley (65.4)
- QB Sam Darnold (66.0)
- TE Ross Dwelley (52.8)
- G Jon Feliciano (79.8)
- WR Ray-Ray McCloud (63.1)
- T Matt Pryor (88.5)
- TE Charlie Woerner (63.5)
Speaking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine last week, general manager John Lynch expressed interest in having guard Feliciano return in 2024. Feliciano rotated with Spencer Burford at right guard but saw his playing time increase as the season progressed.
Both of Purdy's backups are set to become unrestricted free agents. It's likely the 49ers will seek to retain one of them and either draft another quarterback or sign one in free agency.
The following 49ers' defensive players are set to become unrestricted free agents, and the Pro Football Focus grades they earned during the 2023 season:
- LB Oren Burks (58.9)
- DE Clelin Ferrell (60.7)
- LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (55.1)
- S Tashaun Gipson (67.8)
- DT Kevin Givens (53.1)
- DE Randy Gregory (46.8)
- DT Sebastian Joseph-Day (60.0)
- DT Javon Kinlaw (53.8)
- S Logan Ryan (61.7)
- DE Chase Young (74.7)
Gipson's plans for 2024 remain unclear. The safety considered retirement last offseason before returning to the 49ers on a one-year deal.
The 49ers didn't exercise Kinlaw's fifth-year option. He has yet to live up to his draft status as the No. 14 overall pick in 2020 and will likely be allowed to test free agency.
San Francisco could look to bring back Burks and Flannigan-Fowles after linebacker Dre Greenlaw suffered a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl. Greenlaw is expected to miss most—possibly all—of the 2024 season.
When asked about the options to replace Greenlaw during the upcoming season, Lynch stated, "Maybe those contingency plans were last year with the two rookies that we drafted, Dee Winters and Jalen Graham. Can they take that step, or do we need to go insulate them? Those are decisions we have to make, and we're constantly looking into those things, seeing if we feel comfortable or do we need to add to the equation."
Ferrell started every game opposite defensive end Nick Bosa before suffering a knee injury during Week 18 and landing on injured reserve.
