The San Francisco 49ers have 17 unrestricted free agents after declining to use franchise tag

The franchise tag deadline has passed once again without it being used by the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco last used the tag in 2019, when they did so to keep kicker Robbie Gould on the roster. Gould was later signed to a four-year extension. So with several big names and former high draft picks […]

Nicholas McGee
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Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young (92) reacts against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium.
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The franchise tag deadline has passed once again without it being used by the San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco last used the tag in 2019, when they did so to keep kicker Robbie Gould on the roster. Gould was later signed to a four-year extension.

So with several big names and former high draft picks set to hit the open market, the 49ers must now decide whom among their 17 pending unrestricted free agents to prioritize, a challenging task for a team that is, per Over The Cap, $285,281 over the salary cap.

Who are the 49ers' offensive free agents?

  • QB Sam Darnold
  • IOL Jon Feliciano
  • WR Ray-Ray McCloud
  • TE Ross Dwelley
  • QB Brandon Allen
  • WR Chris Conley
  • OT Matt Pryor
  • TE Charlie Woerner

Which offensive free agents will the 49ers try to re-sign?

General manager John Lynch, per NBC Sports Bay Area, has already spoken of a desire to bring versatile veteran Jon Feliciano back. Feliciano was a reliable player at right guard down the stretch and his injury was an underrated reason why the Niners lost Super Bowl 58.

The 49ers will likely attempt to keep at least one of their backup quarterbacks, Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen, on the roster, while it would be a surprise if they do not re-sign Charlie Woerner after a quietly impressive season from the blocking tight end.

Return man Ray-Ray McCloud's muffed punt in the Super Bowl could prove to be his last action for the Niners. By contrast, Chris Conley came up clutch on a couple of big plays in the Super Bowl and could well be back for another year.

Who are the 49ers' defensive free agents?

  • DE Randy Gregory
  • DE Chase Young
  • DT Javon Kinlaw
  • S Tashaun Gipson
  • DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
  • LB Oren Burks
  • DE Clelin Ferrell
  • DT Kevin Givens
  • DB Logan Ryan

Which defensive free agents will the 49ers try to re-sign

Despite receiving significant criticism for his play against the run in the postseason, the 49ers have interest, per ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, in bringing Chase Young back on a prove-it deal after trading for him at the 2023 deadline.

The 49ers were very happy with what they got from Clelin Ferrell before he suffered a torn ACL in Week 18. Look for them to try to bring him back. Javon Kinlaw may have a decent market after a strong postseason, but his best move is probably to put together a second strong healthy year for the Niners and then look to cash in next offseason.

Kevin Givens is a valuable part of the defensive line rotation and should be relatively easy to re-sign, but it will be interesting to see if the 49ers want to bring back Oren Burks after the linebacker struggled in relief of injured Dre Greenlaw in the Super Bowl. San Francisco drafted two linebackers last year.

Tashaun Gipson considered retirement before deciding to play at least one more season. It remains to be seen if he will continue his career into 2024.

When does free agency start?

The NFL's 'legal tampering period', as it is widely known, opens March 11, allowing rival teams to negotiate with pending free agents.

Those players will then be free to sign with teams once free agency officially begins on March 13.

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