The 49ers’ 90-man roster is full, but that doesn’t mean they’re done making tweaks.
While their early free agent moves were relatively minor outside of re-signing Arik Armstead and Jimmie Ward, more free agent moves could be on the way. An additional free agency wave tends to hit once the moves no longer factor into the compensatory pick formula.
The major free agents are mostly signed, but some available players remain who could help the 49ers in 2020. Here are seven free agents San Francisco could bring in to help improve their roster:
TE Delanie Walker
The 49ers could use another versatile playmaker at tight end. Ross Dwelley, sixth-round pick Charlie Woerner and 2019 undrafted free agent Daniel Helm are the only tight ends behind George Kittle on the roster. None of them are particularly dangerous pass catchers. Walker offers the versatility Kyle Shanahan likes from his tight ends while also offering an upgrade in the passing game. His best years are behind him, but defenses would have to account for Walker even if his role is limited.
DL Michael Bennett
There’s no doubt Bennett’s play has declined dramatically from his peak, but he’s still an effective, versatile defensive lineman who had his most success in the same defensive scheme the 49ers run. A limited rotational role where he moves around the front would allow the team to maximize the talent Bennett has remaining while alleviating some of the workload on the rest of the defensive line.
WR Taylor Gabriel
It’s a little bit of a surprise the 49ers didn’t scoop up Gabriel right after the Bears released him considering their need at receiver and Gabriel’s experience with Shanahan. While injuries limited him to nine games last year, he still managed to be productive in an offense run by Mitchell Trubisky. Gabriel caught 96 balls for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns in 25 games in Chicago. Bringing in a proven veteran like Gabriel would give some added stability to a receiving corps that still carries a lot of question marks.
CB Logan Ryan
While Ryan has never been an elite corner, he’s an experienced veteran who could help the 49ers’ depth at that position. He also brings some versatility because he can play both outside and in the slot. He’d be able to compete for a starting job with Emmanuel Moseley and Ahkello Witherspoon. If he didn’t win a starting role, he’d be an upgrade for the 49ers’ depth at corner.
TE Jordan Reed
Injuries have plagued Reed his entire career, but he’s worth a free agency flier considering his versatility and what he can be when he is on the field. Reed caught 153 passes for 1,638 yards and 17 touchdowns across 26 games in 2015 and 2016. He’d be an extremely effective weapon in Shanahan’s offense if he’s healthy. The potential reward even if Reed only plays a handful of games is well worth the risk.
DL Mike Daniels
There’s no question Daniels has taken a step back from the once dominant force he was in the interior of the Packers’ defensive line. He’s still a quality player though who can move around the interior and collapse the pocket as a pass rusher while chewing up blockers in the run game. He can take on a more limited role in a deep 49ers defensive line to maximize his effectiveness.
DL Vinny Curry
Curry had arguably the best season of his career last year with the Eagles. He posted 5.0 sacks and 44 total pressures in just 415 snaps. His snap count could stay limited in San Francisco, and he’d vastly improve their depth on the edge. After Ronald Blair, the 49ers’ depth chart is pretty thin. Curry is a high-level player who’d be very effective on an already talented defensive line.
