The 49ers have a bigger need for a centerfield-type safety, but Collins will still have a huge market.
The safety market is going to be deep when 2019 NFL free agency opens next Wednesday. The market will include Earl Thomas, Tyrann Mathieu, Lamarcus Joyner, HaHa Clinton-Dix, Adrian Amos, and Kenny Vaccaro, and we can add another name to the list.
The New York Giants have informed Landon Collins they will not use their franchise tag on him, per NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport. Collins tweeted a farewell on Tuesday. A safety would earn $11,150,000 under the franchise tag, and the Giants think his issues as a pass defender are not worth the big bucks that would come with the tag, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.
The San Francisco 49ers need to improve their safety depth, but it seems like Earl Thomas would be the more likely target for the time being. Collins would upgrade their strong safety position, but given the needs elsewhere, it seems like rolling with Jaquiski Tartt and Marcell Harris makes sense. If they think the upgrade is big enough with Collins, so be it. They could slot Tartt and/or Harris into a big nickel role instead.
It comes down to how they value what they have not only with what Collins would upgrade, but with how that money might be used elsewhere. You can fit quality players into the system as needed, but you also can’t pay huge bucks at every single position. I’d be surprised if the 49ers were at the front of the line when Collins hits free agency next week.
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