The 2019 free agency period might be the most important in 49ers history. They’re at a crossroads after back-to-back abysmal seasons to open the John Lynch-Kyle Shanahan era, and they need to make a splash. Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire predicted where the 21 top free agents will land when free agency opens on March 13. He has the 49ers missing Earl Thomas to sign former Rams safety Lamarcus Joyner.
Joyner won’t likely command the money Thomas will, and he’s coming off a letdown season after a dynamite 2017 campaign. San Francisco desperately needs stability in the back end of their defense though, and Farrar notes that Joyner provides that.
Joyner wasn’t as effective in 2018 as he was the year before, but allowing two touchdowns on 26 targets in 684 coverage snaps puts him ahead of the pack against anyone currently wearing a 49ers uniform. Joyner can play deep credibly, but he’s even better as an intermediate pass defender who can also clean up run plays.
San Francisco ran through a gamut of safeties last year as injuries ripped through their roster at a seemingly impossible rate. They were left with a roster full of players who all showed flashes, but none of them were able to step in to secure a starting role. Getting a player who will automatically be the team’s best at that position would be an ideal outcome for Lynch and the 49ers’ front office.
On the other hand, Joyner isn’t quite the player Thomas is. The latter would be the type of high-profile splash mixed with perfect fit the 49ers would need to put themselves in the playoff hunt next season.
Farrar cites Thomas’ desire to play for his hometown Cowboys and his ability to fit defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli’s defense as the reasons Thomas will wind up in Dallas:
It’s about the worst-kept secret in the world that Thomas, a Texas alum, would love to play for the Cowboys. He’d be reuniting with former Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard, and current Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli is as smart as anyone when it comes to deploying his defenders for optimal success.
There’s one hangup that could work in the 49ers’ favor with Thomas. 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman – a former teammate of Thomas’ in Seattle – noted earlier this offseason that the 49ers will be in the running for the safety’s services, and money would be a significant factor in Thomas’ choice.
San Francisco has more cap space and fewer upcoming commitments for that space than Dallas. They could be in a position to make Thomas the highest-paid safety in the NFL. If Sherman is correct, that would likely be enough to woo Thomas to the Bay Area.
This is an okay scenario for the 49ers though. Thomas is the ultimate prize with his elite skill set and familiarity with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s defense. However, if San Francisco does wind up with Joyner, they’re getting a high-quality starter who instantly makes their secondary better.
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