No more franchise tags were issued after Tuesday’s 1:00 PM PT deadline, leaving the door open for the 49ers to acquire multiple potential game-changing players in free agency.

Six franchise tags were used, including the 49ers placing one on kicker Robbie Gould. The other five went to edge rushers Jadeveon Clowney, Frank Clark, Dee Ford and Demarcus Lawrence, and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.

A lack of top-end talent on the edge doesn’t eliminate the 49ers’ need or ability to make a splash in free agency though. None of the players who were tagged were ever expected to land on the open market.

Here are six players who weren’t tagged, and will very likely get a call from the 49ers barring a last-minute extension prior to the unofficial opening of free agency on March 11.

DE Trey Flowers, 25-years old

(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Flowers was one of three players who could’ve gotten tagged by the Patriots. He’s a versatile edge player who would fit at any of the four positions along the 49ers’ defensive front. Flowers has 21 career sacks, all in the last three seasons, and proved to be a very effective player for Bill Belichick’s defense. A player who can affect the passer off the edge, while also having the versatility to kick inside would make an immediate impact on the 49ers’ defense. Arik Armstead’s return and the likely use of an early draft pick on an edge rusher make paying a steep price for Flowers less likely, but San Francisco should at least kick tires on the four-year veteran.

About the Author: Insidethe49

Insidethe49 Site Staff

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!