SANTA CLARA – The NFL’s franchise tag deadline should pass at 1 p.m. today without the cost-conscious 49ers’ impeding any player’s path to unrestricted free agency.
Two of their most coveted free agents carry health concerns as they approach next week’s market: linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) and safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee, wrist). Greenlaw would command $25.5 million on the franchise tag as a linebacker, the highest cost behind quarterbacks’ franchise tag ($40 million); safeties are $18.6 million.
Cornerback Charvarius Ward’s three-year tenure is expected to end because of personal reasons: his 23-month-old daughter Amani Joy unexpectedly passed away here last October and he’s expressed a desire to play closer to his Texas home. Should the 49ers try to retain Ward’s rights, it would cost $20.2 million on the franchise tag for a cornerback, $17.6 million on the transition tag.
Left guard Aaron Banks is the only other starter slated to hit free agency; the franchise tag for an offensive lineman is $23.4 million – roughly three times what Banks earned the previous four seasons combined.
A week ago, 49ers general manager John Lynch said they need to “recalibrate” their financial approach, so splurging on a franchise tag seemed even more unlikely, even after the NFL increased the salary cap to a record $279.2 million this year. Kicker Robbie Gould, in 2019, is the only player to draw the 49ers’ franchise tag since Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan arrived in 2017.
Tagged players in previous regimes: Steve Young (1993), Terrell Owens (1999), Julian Peterson (2004-05), Aubrayo Franklin (2010) and Dashon Goldson (2012).
Unrestricted free agents are eligible Monday to commence talks with other teams. Contracts and trades, including Saturday’s of Deebo Samuel to Washington, cannot become official until next Wednesday at 1 p.m., although the 49ers can re-sign their own free agents before then.
The 49ers have yet to announce what level of tender, if any, they will assign before next Wednesday’s 1 p.m. deadline on their two restricted free agents, running back Jordan Mason and linebacker Curtis Robinson, neither of whom was drafted. Mason, following his breakout season, could command a second-round tender of $5.2 million, otherwise the 49ers’ minimum tender could be $3 million.
Others poised to become free agents (unrestricted unless listed otherwise):
Quarterback: Brandon Allen, Josh Dobbs
Running back: Elijah Mitchell, Patrick Taylor Jr.
Wide receiver: Chris Conley
Tight end: Eric Saubert, Jake Tonges (exclusive rights; tendered), Brayden Willis (exclusive rights; tendered)
Offensive linemen: Jaylon Moore, Charlie Heck, Austen Pleasants (exclusive rights; tendered), Jon Feliciano (retired)
Defensive linemen: Khalil Davis, Kevin Givens, Evan Anderson (exclusive rights; tendered), Sam Okuayinonu (exclusive rights; tendered), Alex Barrett (exclusive rights; tendered), and Javon Hargrave if released as expected
Linebacker: Greenlaw, De’Vondre Campbell, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Jalen Graham (exclusive rights; tendered)
Cornerback: Ward, Isaac Yiadom, Rock Ya-Sin, Nick McCloud
Safety: Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson
Punter: Pat O’Donnell