Offseason strategy - how would you play it?

Until about two weeks ago, the Niners were only going to have 6-7 picks going into next year's draft. With the comp picks for McDaniel and the upcoming trade of Jimmy G, they could end up with 10 picks. The Niners only have roughly $5 million in cap space as it stands right now and 24 free agents. Niners still have one of the most talented rosters in the league, but they need some financial flexibility for the future and to sign their superstars to major extensions. How do you think they should approach this offseason?

My hope is they do a mix of options 2 and 3. There are four must sign free agents in Tomlimson, Al-Shaair, Key and DJ Jones. I would keep as many of their ERFA agents as possible, but the Niners should take advantage of the draft to get younger, replace some of their injury prone veterans (Tartt, K. Williams, Mostert) and get some developmental players for the future. I would also like to see them sign Tyrod Taylor, James Daniels, Justin Reid and maybe Braxton Berrios in free agency. What would you do?

It depends how much the 49er UFAs want. I would prioritize Tomlinson and DJ Jones. Guys like Key, Tartt, KWaun are nice-to-haves. I'd bring Mostert and Verrett back since they can't possibly be asking for much, perhaps Tartt also won't be asking for much. If there's money to splurge in free agency (doubtful), I'd use it on fixing the OL. Draft defense since I don't think a rookie OL would help in 2022.

edit: Draft however the board falls. I think going for quantity is a good thing with so many players earning/deserving top market contracts (Deebo, Bosa, Warner, Kittle, Trent). Need cheap depth.

Originally posted by thl408:
It depends how much the 49er UFAs want. I would prioritize Tomlinson and DJ Jones. Guys like Key, Tartt, KWaun are nice-to-haves. I'd bring Mostert and Verrett back since they can't possibly be asking for much, perhaps Tartt also won't be asking for much. If there's money to splurge in free agency (doubtful), I'd use it on fixing the OL. Draft defense since I don't think a rookie OL would help in 2022.

This is where I'm at. I would add an ER in FA who may be a 1 year prove it deal type like Carter, Fowler etc

Here's what you do. Trey Lance has to bust he'll take us to one Super Bowl but we won't score any points and we will lose. Trade him for pennies on the dollar and all our first rounders for years to get Dak Prescott in his 30s. We then give up all remaining picks for some veteran stars a pass rusher and receiver. No 1st round picks for seven years. Wait for the NFL to put the Super Bowl in our home stadium again. Come up with some super annoying chant from our PA guy. And after we win the SB with Prescott, Shanny and Bosa both say they are thinking about retiring. This is how it's done nowadays.

They're 4.5 mil over the cap. They have to bring that down before anything else. Restructure or some guys won't be back.

I'd say the combo of options 2,3 and 4. I'm all for them using all of there picks or trading up if need be. 100% agree on your outside FA's. Daniels and Reid would be nice upgrades. Really would love to add a vet CB to that list. To me Tomlinson and DJ Jones are the 2 must sign FA's I'd like to keep Shaair and Key but they are replaceable pieces. i can't remember if Greenlaw is a FA as well. That would make me want to keep Shaair if Greenlaw walks. I wouldn't mind them keeping Mostert but can see why not. Time for Tartt and Williams to be replaced with younger better guys. Slice Ebukam's salary in half to create some extra space. Wish there was something to de done about Ford's and MM's contracts.

Originally posted by lamontb:
I'd say the combo of options 2,3 and 4. I'm all for them using all of there picks or trading up if need be. 100% agree on your outside FA's. Daniels and Reid would be nice upgrades. Really would love to add a vet CB to that list. To me Tomlinson and DJ Jones are the 2 must sign FA's I'd like to keep Shaair and Key but they are replaceable pieces. i can't remember if Greenlaw is a FA as well. That would make me want to keep Shaair if Greenlaw walks. I wouldn't mind them keeping Mostert but can see why not. Time for Tartt and Williams to be replaced with younger better guys. Slice Ebukam's salary in half to create some extra space. Wish there was something to de done about Ford's and MM's contracts.

AlShaair is an RFA so he should be brought back. It would lessen the need to extend Greenlaw as a UFA when Greenlaw's contract expires after 2022. Love Greenlaw but when Bosa's and Deebo's megadeals kick in after 2022, something's gotta give.

Originally posted by qnnhan7:
They're 4.5 mil over the cap. They have to bring that down before anything else. Restructure or some guys won't be back.

That's WITH Jimmy's salary, right?
My understanding of our situation is that we can resign some of our priority guys, like Laken Tomlinson and D.J. Jones, if the price tag isn't too high, and possibly extend Deebo/Bosa.

I think they can sign a "mid-tier" free agent if it's under $10M. I feel like... signing a veteran CB to a one-year deal would be ideal while we try to continue drafting young guys and developing them.

Our offensive line needs help too though. We really need to re-sign Tomlinson. Aaron Banks needs to win the starting RG spot. McGlinchey needs to come back healthy and play to his potential. McGlinchey's a great run-blocker, but one year he struggled with edge rushers... the next year, he lost too much weight to deal with that and struggled with bull-rushes. We need him to be better in pass protection. So many What If's here at the O-line.

You also have to look at who is scheduled to be a free agent next year and do you potentially have that players replacement on the roster to develop. The 49ers are transitioning from a rebuild where the roster was made up of mostly young guys to now having to pay your draft picks that you hit on. Despite what some on here want you to believe the 49ers have drafted pretty well.

After they have to shell out top dollar for Bosa, Deebo, Kittle, Warner they will need to make hard decisions and let decent players walk and replace those players with with draft picks or vet players who want to come here cheaply for a chance to win.

But to answer your question OP, i think the smartest thing to do is to do a combination of all your choices. I think many of the free agents are going to come down to if Kyle & John believe they already have their replacement on the roster or if their production can be easily replaced. A good example would be K'waun Williams. He is a good nickel guy who is great around the line of scrimmage. He's losing a step at coverage. Lenior is a rookie who took some rookie bumps but would probably be the most logical choice to replace him. Will Lenior take that next step in development to where it wont be much of a drop off? Could we get a vet in here for cheap? I think they explore all avenues.

Originally posted by miked1978:
You also have to look at who is scheduled to be a free agent next year and do you potentially have that players replacement on the roster to develop. The 49ers are transitioning from a rebuild where the roster was made up of mostly young guys to now having to pay your draft picks that you hit on. Despite what some on here want you to believe the 49ers have drafted pretty well.

After they have to shell out top dollar for Bosa, Deebo, Kittle, Warner they will need to make hard decisions and let decent players walk and replace those players with with draft picks or vet players who want to come here cheaply for a chance to win.

But to answer your question OP, i think the smartest thing to do is to do a combination of all your choices. I think many of the free agents are going to come down to if Kyle & John believe they already have their replacement on the roster or if their production can be easily replaced. A good example would be K'waun Williams. He is a good nickel guy who is great around the line of scrimmage. He's losing a step at coverage. Lenior is a rookie who took some rookie bumps but would probably be the most logical choice to replace him. Will Lenior take that next step in development to where it wont be much of a drop off? Could we get a vet in here for cheap? I think they explore all avenues.

My understanding is we already paid George & Fred.

Originally posted by 49erFaithful6:
Here's what you do. Trey Lance has to bust he'll take us to one Super Bowl but we won't score any points and we will lose. Trade him for pennies on the dollar and all our first rounders for years to get Dak Prescott in his 30s. We then give up all remaining picks for some veteran stars a pass rusher and receiver. No 1st round picks for seven years. Wait for the NFL to put the Super Bowl in our home stadium again. Come up with some super annoying chant from our PA guy. And after we win the SB with Prescott, Shanny and Bosa both say they are thinking about retiring. This is how it's done nowadays.

When i pray at night i'm thankful that you arent near the front office.

lol at Dak. If he can't get out of the Wild Card round with that roster not sure why you think he could win here.

I'm not too quick moving away from Tartt, especially if they're going to infuse younger CBs. Gonna need another year of Tartt and Ward veteran leadership.

Originally posted by 49erFaithful6:
My understanding is we already paid George & Fred.

We have. My point is now we have to pay for Bosa and Deebo. Combine them all together and thats a huge chunk of the cap. We'd be screwed if we had an established QB making top 10 money (we do but he will be gone this off season)

Originally posted by qnnhan7:
I'm not too quick moving away from Tartt, especially if they're going to infuse younger CBs. Gonna need another year of Tartt and Ward veteran leadership.

Agreed. Middle tier safeties never get what they expect on the open market. Tartt could be brought back on a very manageable deal - unless I'm underestimating how other GMs view him.

Originally posted by qnnhan7:
I'm not too quick moving away from Tartt, especially if they're going to infuse younger CBs. Gonna need another year of Tartt and Ward veteran leadership.

I'd offer Tartt a low offer for sure. There never seems to be a good market for vet safeties. If he finds a better offer then so be it maybe we get a comp pick from him. If not he resigns and competes.