SANTA CLARA — The 49ers’ roster-recovery efforts Tuesday include a pricey but short-term commitment to Jordan Mason and a low-key addition of safety Richie Grant.
But more departures are imminent, a day after an eight-man exodus in which seven landed free-agent deals elsewhere and perennial Pro Bowler Kyle Juszczyk got informed of his release.
The Minnesota Vikings are expected to swoop up Javon Hargrave once he’s released upon Wednesday’s start of the NFL’s fiscal year. That is when the 49ers also are expected to cut fellow defensive tackle Maliek Collins, and it’s when Deebo Samuel’s trade will go through to Washington for a fifth-round pick.
Half of their Super Bowl starters will be gone 13 months after that overtime loss to Kansas City.
Mason, who broke out last season in place of an injured Christian McCaffrey, drew a second-round tender of $5.35 million as a restricted free agent, ESPN reported. That reserves the 49ers’ right to either match an offer Mason gets elsewhere or receive a second-round draft pick in return for the once-undrafted running back. A multi-year contract still could ensue from the 49ers, as could a trade.
To combat Monday’s mass migrations, the 49ers will replenish their roster, and one such move has them reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal with Grant, an Atlanta Falcons safety for the past four seasons. He started 33 of the 67 games he played, producing three interceptions and four forced fumbles while also being a special teams stalwart. Grant was a 2022-23 starter before playing just 15 percent of the defensive snaps last season and getting ranked 166-of-170 safeties by ProFootballFocus.com
Grant was a second-round pick in the 2021 draft, selected 140 spots before the 49ers took safety Talanoa Hufanga in the fifth round.
Hufanga agreed Monday to a deal (three years, $45 million) with the Denver Broncos, who also lured linebacker “Big Play Dre” Greenlaw from the 49ers (three years, $35 million).
Monday’s start of the NFL’s negotiation window saw deals also brokered for cornerback Charvarius Ward (Indianapolis Colts), guard Aaron Banks (Green Bay Packers), quarterback Josh Dobbs (New England Patriots), offensive tackle Jaylon Moore (Kansas City Chiefs) and running back Elijah Mitchell (Chiefs). Also, the 49ers informed fullback Kyle Juszczyk of his release after eight Pro Bowl seasons.
Hargrave is one of many defensive tackles striking it rich in free agency, and NFL Network reports he’ll be joining a Vikings team that signed Jonathan Allen to a three-year, $60 million deal. Solomon Thomas, the 49ers’ No. 3 overall pick in 2017, agreed Tuesday on a two-year, $8 million pact with the Dallas Cowboys, ESPN reported.