I think between upcoming rookie contracts and guys already on the roster we need to lock up, the spending is pretty much over for now.
https://ninerswire.usatoday.com/2018/03/20/6-players-the-49ers-might-be-saving-cap-space-for/
The 49ers are unlikely to make more significant additions in free agency after adding four new players last week. They’ll enter 2018 with over $45 million in salary cap space, according to the NFLPA’s public report, while Overthecap.com estimates some $55 million in room for 2019.
That’s significant because the team has young players coming up on second contracts that could be signed this offseason or the next accounting for a bulk of that remaining cap space. Getting deals done with players before they hit free agency is often less expensive, but some players might decide it’s a risk worth taking given the chance to cash in on the open market. Players are eligible to negotiate extensions with their teams after three seasons.
So with the 49ers conserving their room for the future, let’s look at some of those players that could take a bite out of that cap space this offseason or the next:
DeForest Buckner, DL (entering Year 3)
Buckner is one of the NFL’s premier three technique defensive tackles. The durable seventh-overall pick in 2016 played 87 and 76 percent of the snaps the last two seasons while being one of the league’s best interior pass rushers.
He turned 24 over the weekend and should continue to get better as he grows into his body and spends more time in the weight room. Buckner will be eligible to talk extension after 2018 and could become the team’s highest-paid defensive player.
He could make in the neighborhood of $13 to $16 million per season, in line with the recent deals given to Gerald McCoy (seven years, $95.2 million), Kawann Short (five years, $80.5 million) and Malik Jackson (six years, $85.5 million).
Trent Brown, T (entering Year 4)
The 49ers want Brown to improve his consistency because he’s one of the league’s best pass protectors when he’s fully locked in. His contract is up after the following season which could mean a deal happens before Week 1 in September.
However, Brown recently had surgery on his right shoulder that could cause him to miss the bulk of the offseason program. San Francisco will likely want to see what kind of shape’s in when he returns before engaging in contract talks. Weight and conditioning have been issues for Brown dating back to college. They also contributed to Brown getting drafted in Round 7 despite his obvious talent. How he rehabs will be important.
A new deal for Brown, 24, could be massive. He’s the favorite to take over at left tackle for 33-year-old Joe Staley whenever he decides to step away, making it likely Brown would advocate for left tackle money, putting him in the conversation for $13 to $15 million per season. The Giants just gave Nate Solder a four-year, $62 million contract. Russell Okung signed for four years and $53 million with the Chargers. Trent Williams received five years and $66 million from Washington.
Jaquiski Tartt, S (entering Year 4)
Tartt took a big step in his development last season under first-year coordinator Robert Saleh. He has a rare combination of size (6-1, 221) and range, proving fast enough to play free safety where players are often 15 pounds lighter. Tartt also did well at his natural spot as a strong safety near the line of scrimmage.
The coaching staff made it clear how they valued Tartt last season when he stuck as a starter when Eric Reid, also a good player, returned from an early season knee injury. Tartt went on to log 54 tackles, an interception and three pass break ups in nine games nine games before suffering a season-ending forearm fracture in early November.
Tartt potentially could command $7 to $10 million per season, in the vein of Devin McCourty’s five-year, $47.5-million deal with the Patriots or Malcolm Jenkins’ four-year, $35 million deal with the Eagles.
Eli Harold, DE/OLB
Harold, who turned 24 in January, ascended to the top “Sam” linebacker spot last season while the team went through a roster-wide youth movement. Veteran Ahmad Brooks was released in training camp, allowing Harold the most playing of his three-year career.
Harold saw 40 percent of the defensive snaps last season while appearing in all 16 games for the third straight year. He was used primarily in base packages, where he had the thankless job of setting the edge in the running game and funneling ball carriers back to the middle of the field. He tied DeForest Buckner and Reuben Foster with five tackles for loss, adding a pair of sacks and four quarterback hits. The 49ers ranked sixth in the NFL allowing 3.8 yards per carry.
John Lynch said at the combine the team may try to use Harold more at “Leo” defensive end next season to try improving on the team’s 30 sacks from last season, the fifth fewest in the league. If the plan works, Harold could be line for a lucrative second contract. If not, the 49ers might consider finding a replacement if they don’t agree to a new deal in the meantime.
Jimmie Ward, DB
Ward is an interesting case (as we dove into this week, here). His $8.5-million salary for 2018 became fully guaranteed at the start of the new league year on his fifth-year option. That means he’s entering a contract year – but the 49ers might try to shrink his cap number and create more flexibility through a multi-year agreement beforehand.
But that decision could be dependent on the draft, where the 49ers could conceivably land Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick or Florida State safety Derwin James at the No. 9-overall pick, which could lead to displacing Ward as the starting free safety and pushing him back to slot cornerback.
Lynch last week praised Ward for his versatility, which might indicate the team isn’t set on his position for next season. And without that, it’s hard to predict exactly which direction the 49ers will go with Ward in the future. If the team doesn’t add another defensive back, and Ward stays healthy in 2018, he could get a contract that pays $6 to $8 million annually if the team wants him around.
Arik Armstead, DL
Like Ward, the 49ers have a decision to make regarding a former first-round pick. The team has until early May to decide to pick up Armstead’s fifth-year option, which would pay him in the neighborhood $9 million fully guaranteed in 2019.
Also like Ward, Armstead has struggled to stay on the field and finished the past two seasons on injured reserve. He suffered shoulder and hand injuries that both required surgery, causing him to miss 17 of his last 32 games.
Armstead was drafted to play defensive tackle in a 3-4 when Eric Mangini was defensive coordinator under Jim Tomsula in 2015. Armstead was asked to move outside to defensive end in the team’s new-look 4-3 last season mostly in base packages while shifting inside on passing downs. He dropped 15 pounds and logged 1.5 sacks before fracturing his hand Week 6 in Washington.
Armstead has promise as a versatile pass rusher, but durability has been an obvious concern and the team used a first-round pick on a similar player last spring in Solomon Thomas. The team could exercise Armstead’s fifth-year option in case he has a breakout season in 2018 to keep him around before hitting the free agent market. If Armstead has another 1.5-sack campaign, however, he could be released before his salary became fully guaranteed at the start of the next league year.
