The San Francisco 49ers were rather quiet in free agency this offseason, letting several veterans walk, while not signing any player to a deal worth more than $5.25 million per year.
Instead, the goal was to rely on and develop the team’s younger talent as they cleaned the books in what seemed like a ‘bridge’ year for the organization.
But, several of those 49ers free agents have been tasked to play key roles at some point this season. So, let’s go back and revisit those decisions and see how the production has been so far.
TE Luke Farrell
The 49ers handed out their biggest free agent contract to tight end Luke Farrell, giving him a three-year deal worth $15.75 million with $11 million guaranteed.
So far, this has been a miss. Farrell, known for his blocking, has been worse than expected in that category and struggled to step up in George Kittle’s absence. The 49ers have long searched for a No. 2 tight end to complement Kittle.
Farrell was the latest attempt at that, but he’s been a worse blocker than Charlie Woerner, who signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons last year.
The 49ers would eat nearly $3.5 million in dead cap if they release Farrell this upcoming offseason.
QB Mac Jones
This move has easily been an A+ for the 49ers. Jones has stepped up and looked the part at quarterback amid Brock Purdy’s injury. He’s provided the stability that San Francisco has lacked with backup quarterbacks in the past at a relatively cheap cost (2 years, $8.4 million).
Jones has played much better than his contract resembles, leading the 49ers to a 5-3 record as the starter. San Francisco could look to move him this offseason and capitalize on his resurgence, but they value the backup quarterback spot and have Jones under contract for another year.
WR Demarcus Robinson
The 49ers needed a veteran receiver, as Brandon Aiyuk was going to be out for the start of the season, and Deebo Samuel was traded. They elected to sign Demarcus Robinson to a two-year, $8 million deal with the understanding that a suspension was likely to start the year.
So far, Robinson has also been a miss. Playing 46 percent of the offensive snaps, he has 11 catches for 142 yards this year with a catch rate of 52.8 percent. He’s been outplayed by Kendrick Bourne, who was signed after the start of the season, and has disappointed at a position where the 49ers needed depth.
FS Jason Pinnock
Needing some safety depth with 2024 fourth-round pick Malik Mustapha tearing his ACL in January last year, the 49ers signed Jason Pinnock on a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth $2.2 million.
The cost was low, but Pinnock has been a part of a disappointing safety group this year. He’s struggled in coverage and was benched after starting the first five games. He’s slowly found his way back into the mix as a big nickel, but hasn’t fared too well in that role either.
Again, the cost was only $2.2 million, but Pinnock hasn’t played well in an underwhelming safety group this year.
LB Luke Gifford
Gifford was expected to be a special-teamer for the 49ers this year, working in as the No. 4 linebacker behind Fred Warner, Dee Winters, and Tatum Bethune. But, he’s been the No. 3 linebacker in dime packages, with Bethune initially backing up Warner as the middle linebacker.
He’s played about 21 percent of the defensive snaps this season, working over third-round pick Nick Martin, who has failed to see the field as a rookie. He’s remained in his role after Warner’s injury, and hasn’t played particularly well, which raises questions about the lack of readiness for Martin at the moment.
Gifford has been a regular on special teams, though, and is only on a one-year, $1.8 million deal.
P Thomas Morstead
The 49ers released Mitch Wishnowsky and signed 39-year-old punter Thomas Morstead after special teams coordinator Brant Boyer was hired.
So far, Morstead ranks 29th in the NFL in punting average (44.8 yards) and 27th in net average (37.6 yards). He has pinned over 50 percent of his kicks inside the 20-yard line (15 punts ranks fifth in NFL) and has only one touchback this year.
Take that all as you wish.
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