FanPost

Why You Shouldn't be Worried about the 2015 offseason

As of March, 15, 2014, the 49ers have 48 players signed for 2015, with a $115,991,205 in cap commitments for those 48 players, along with an additional $1,494,531 in dead money from the Carlos Rogers June 1 designated cut. And with a conservative 2015 salary cap limit of $140 million, the 49ers are currently $22,514,264 under the cap.

I will first list the pending free agents after 2014, then list the 48 players under contract, which includes the likely to be 5th-year option picked up for Aldon Smith, into groups.

QB Colin Kaepernick

RB Frank Gore

RB Kendall Hunter

FB Bruce Miller

FB Will Tukuafu

WR Michael Crabtree

WR Jon Baldwin

WR Brandon Carswell

WR David Reed

TE Garrett Celek

LG Mike Iupati

RG/OT Adam Snyder

DE Tony Jerod-Eddie

NT Glenn Dorsey

OLB Dan Skuta

CB Chris Culliver

CB Eric Wright

CB Chris Cook

SS C.J. Spillman

SS Raymond Ventrone

SS D.J. Campbell

Two other players who are potentials to be on the 2014 roster are current tendered players, RFA Demarcus Dobbs, and EFA Michael Wilhoite.

Now of those free agents to be, I believe the following are high priority. Those include, Kaepernick, Miller, Crabtree, & Iupati. The ones I believe that should also have priority, and try and keep include, Hunter, Jerod-Eddie, Dorsey, Skuta, Culliver, Spillman, and Ventrone.

I also expect Wilhoite to be kept as a RFA, as he has proven to be a solid ILB in place of either Willis or Bowman.

Now let us take a look at the players under contract, in groups, I'll start with guys who should be on the team, no matter what their salary cap charge is.

RB Marcus Lattimore($585,146 cap charge) - Lattimore is considered to be the future for the 49ers at RB, and he has such a low cap charge, it makes no sense to release him.

WR Anquan Boldin($6.909M cap charge) - Boldin will be here in 2015, as I don't expect a slump from him. And I know he has a high cap charge, but he is a consistent pro, and reliable.

WR Quinton Patton($682,875 cap charge) - Patton has shown through what little playing time, that he has all the potential to be a solid #3 WR. And his salary is not an issue.

TE Vernon Davis($7,019,920 cap charge) - Davis, although his high cap charge, is in line for an extension. Davis is a leader on the field, and off the field, so he is a must to keep for the future development of Colin Kaepernick as the future of the franchise at QB.

TE Vance McDonald($981,594 cap charge) - McDonald also showed some potential, and has a low cap charge compared to other #2 TEs around the league, so he is a keeper.

C Daniel Kilgore($1,937,500 cap charge) - Kilgore just signed an extension with the team, and he is viewed as the teams' future at Center. So he is a keeper.

RG Alex Boone($1.79M cap charge) - Boone has been a nice pickup as an UDFA back a few years, he has shown his development, and proved it by winning the RG spot out of nowhere. Plus Boone is in line for an extension.

LT Joe Staley($5.2M cap charge) - Staley went from an average LT, to an All Pro, Pro Bowl LT. And he has one of the best contracts on the team, as he has no guaranteed money left, but I have a feeling that will change soon. But he is a keeper.

RT Anthony Davis($6,716,670 cap charge) - Davis also just signed an extension not long ago, so the 49ers obviously view Davis as the future at RT.

DE Justin Smith($6,436,668 cap charge) - Smith is a true pro, and workhorse. He always gives 110%. And there is no way the 49ers release him, not after he helped the team by redoing his deal just last offseason. He will likely retire a 49er.

DE Ray McDonald($5,946,985 cap charge) - McDonald has had injury issues in the past few seasons, but when healthy he is a good 3-4 DE. So I believe the team will keep him.

DE Tank Carradine($1,346,367 cap charge) - Carradine was once considered a 1st round pick in 2013, but fell a little due to a Torn ACL, and the 49ers are banking on getting a steal put of the 40th overall pick in the 2013 draft. He has so much pass rushing skills, and all the potential in the world.

OLB Aldon Smith($9.754M cap charge) - Smith has a pending $9.754M cap charge as his 5th-year team option, as part of his rookie contract, signed in 2011. Once picked up, before May 3rd, 2014, his salary will be locked in at that rate. Plus Smith is a pass rushing beast, and should be extended for the long haul.

OLB Ahmad Brooks($8.35M cap charge) - I know Brooks has a high cap charge, but as long as he improves upon his 2013 season, he should stay around. I wouldn't rule out a restructure if need be.

OLB Corey Lemonier($720,880 cap charge) - Lemonier was a solid 3rd round pick in 2013, and showed it in 2013 when Aldon Smith was out, due to his off the field problems. He is clearly a keeper.

ILB Patrick Willis($8,736,750 cap charge) - Willis has been the team's leader on the defense for many years, and I wouldn't ever consider releasing him, so I believe the 49ers hold onto him, and give him an extension soon.

ILB NaVorro Bowman($7.75M cap charge) - Bowman did suffer a severe injury in the NFC Championship Game, but he is still one of the best ILBs in the NFL, and should come back strong, so I don't see any chance they let him go.

CB Tramaine Brock($3.05M cap charge) - Brock signed an extension in November of 2013, and is viewed as a Starting CB, or at worst the #3 CB. Plus he is young, and cheap compared to other starters, or starting caliber players.

FS Eric Reid($2,312,933 cap charge) - Reid was a surprise pick at 18 overall, but he showed up, with big plays, and hard hitting, plus he isn't that bad in coverage. So the 49ers really did well, and have a future at FS in Reid.

SS Antoine Bethea($4.75M cap charge) - Bethea was just signed this week, and he played great as a Colt. He was a consistent starter, and got a good, cap friendly deal, which can be an easy out after 2015.

PK Phil Dawson($4.134M cap charge) -Dawson was amazing for the 49ers in 2013, and as long as he stays that way, I can't see the 49ers letting Dawson go. Especially with the way Jim Harbaugh lobbied for him to be kept.

P Andy Lee($2.55M cap charge) - Obviously Lee is among the top 3 Punters in the NFL. I highly doubt the 49ers would give up on him, especially with such a low cap number.

Next up are players who have a 50/50 chance of being here in 2015.

RB LaMichael James($1,056,013 cap charge) - James is a 50/50 in my opinion. He is a decent back, and a decent returner. He has a high cap charge, so I can see them letting him go.

OG Joe Looney($766,301 cap charge) - Looney may be a guy that is being groomed to be the new LG. If so, I expect him to at least see his rookie contract through.

OT Jonathan Martin($1,024,400 cap charge) - Martin was just acquired in a trade from Miami for a conditional 2015 7th round pick, depending on if he makes the 2014 53-man roster. And if he does, it will show that Martin is capable of being the 6th Lineman. There is also a possibility that he could shift over to LG if Iupati isn't retained.

NT Ian Williams($1,583,334 cap charge) - Williams in some eyes should be a lock, I just want to see more of him to be sure. He has a low cap hit for most starting NTs, so keeping him won't hurt the teams cap.

NT Quinton Dial($630,413 cap charge) - Dial has a cheap cap charge for both 2014, and 2015, so if he stays put, he should be here in 2015.

ILB Nick Moody($611,918 cap charge) - Moody has a good chance of staying in 2015, as long as he stays throughout 2014. He is versatile, can play ILB, possibly Safety, and a Special Teams Ace.

CB Darryl Morris($585,000 savings) - Morris was a special teams standout since he was signed off the practice squad, and has a good shot at keeping his job in 2014, so that should at least get him a camp invite so to speak.

FS Craig Dahl($1,933,334 cap charge) - I know some don't like, or are not a fan of Dahl, but he is a good special teams tackler, so he has a legit chance of sticking in 2015, as long as he sticks in 2014.

LS Kevin McDermott($586,668 cap charge) - McDermott is more than likely a lock than a 50/50, but for the reason that the 49ers love to have a LS come in and compete, I put him as 50/50.

Now these 9 players count $8,777,381 in cap room, with a possibility of $1,032,735 in dead money.

Now players who I doubt are here in 2015, as they likely don't make it through 2014's cuts.

QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson($735,000 cap charge) - McBLT, as he nicknamed, isn't likely to be here in 2015 in my opinion. The team needs a better veteran as a backup.

RB Jewel Hampton($585,000 cap charge) - Hampton isn't likely to make it to the 2014 active roster, unless the team trades LaMichael James.

FB Alex Debniak($511,668 cap charge) - Debniak, a former Linebacker at Stanford, converted to a FB when he signed with the 49ers, but unless an injury occurs, he isn't staying here.

WR Chuck Jacobs($510,000 cap charge) - Jacobs has all the potential to be a good player, but unless he can beat out anyone who they put in front of him, he is likely destined for the practice squad again in 2014.

WR DeMarco Sampson($585,000 cap charge) - Sampson is probably just a camp body for the time being, not a chance he sticks, unless he has a tremendous camp.

WR Devon Wylie($585,000 cap charge) - Wylie has potential to be a good returner, but he hasn't shown it in the NFL, yet anyway. But I suspect he is a practice squader, more so then a active roster member.

TE Derek Carrier($585,000 cap charge) - Even if Carrier makes the 2014 roster, I doubt he makes it to the 2015 roster. As someone better will be picked up.

OG Ryan Seymour($585,000 cap charge) - Seymour is more of a camp body, he was picked up off the Seahawks practice squad, so I don't see a long term potential for him here.

OG Al Netter($510,000 cap charge) - Netter has been around here for a few seasons, between offseason roster, and practice squad, but I doubt he sticks.

OT Carter Bykowski($510,000 cap charge) - Bykowski is probably going to be in a intense battle with Jonathan Martin, Adam Snyder, and Luke Marquardt for a roster spot, but more than likely a practice squader, back on a cheaper deal.

OT Luke Marquardt($511,668 cap charge) - Marquardt is going to be in a battle with others, so he has a long uphill battle ahead of him.

DE Lawrence Okoye($511,000 cap charge) - Okoye has an uphill battle at DE, and it doesn't look good for him, so I put him as having little chance of making it this far.

NT Mike Purcell($510,000 cap charge) - Unless Purcell shows a lot of potential, he is also a practice squader, with a lower cap charge in 2015, if he remains.

DT Christian Tupou($585,000 cap charge) - Tupou is more than likely a camp body, so I doubt he makes it this far.

ILB Darius Fleming($701,200 cap charge) - Fleming has little chance of making it this far, as he has had 2 torn ACLs on the same Knee.

CB Dax Swanson($510,000 cap charge) - Swanson isn't likely to make the team in 2014, so I don't see him here in 2015.

P Colton Schmidt($510,000 cap charge) - Schmidt is likely a camp body/leg, so he won't see this salary.

After that is all done, take a look at the above players, they count for a total of $9,540,536, with only a chance of $4,336 in dead money from those 17 players.

From the 50/50 chances, and the players I feel have little chances, the team can see a combined total of $17,280,846 in cap room.

Add that to the already $22 million, the 49ers would have over $39.795 million in salary cap room, which is enough to retain the key players. I do expect the 49ers to let go of either Michael Crabtree, or Mike Iupati, likely Iupati.

Fun fact and exercise for me is when Camp opens, with 90 guys, and we can see who are locks, 50/50, no chance, etc... Cause right now if they didn't use the top 51 rule, we have -$5,843,075 in cap room, or OVER the cap. Of course $6.6M will come off in June, so it's like 1.1M under, so I don't see many outside deals happening. I didn't think a Thurmond, Edelman, or Sanders signing would really make sense.

Our adjusted cap, which is the most we can spend, is $135,483,783 , That includes carryover, and credits, which is why it's higher than $133M that the salary cap is set for everyone. Three teams have below $133M for actually going over the cap to end 2013, cause Not Likely To Be Earned Incentives kicked in, and caused an overage.

For a fun exercise, lets take a look at who I view as locks, and their salaries.

I have 35 locks, below.

RT 76 Anthony Davis - $7,532,266

TE 85 Vernon Davis - $7,342,916

ILB 53 NaVorro Bowman - $7.05M (Will decrease as his roster bonus will go down due to missing games)

DE 94 Justin Smith - $6,936,666

ILB 52 Patrick Willis - $6.863M

OLB 55 Ahmad Brooks - $6.6M

RB 21 Frank Gore - $6.45M (Possible restructure, but I don't think it's far fetched to see him play out the 2014 deal)

DE 91 Ray McDonald - $5,346,985

WR 15 Michael Crabtree - $4,770,443

LG 77 Mike Iupati - $4,625,863 (I don't believe they will trade him, the O-Line is a key to our success, unless a stud is there, not happening)

OLB 99 Aldon Smith - $4,576,727

NT 90 Glenn Dorsey - $3,792,500

LT 74 Joe Staley - $3.4M

SS -- Antoine Bethea - $3M

RG 75 Alex Boone - $2.59M

P 4 Andy Lee - $2.4M

WR 81 Anquan Boldin - $2.364M

CB 26 Tramaine Brock - $2M

PK 9 Phil Dawson - $2M

FS 35 Eric Reid - $1,927,444

OLB 51 Dan Skuta - $1.65M

QB 7 Colin Kaepernick - $1,630,457

CB 29 Chris Culliver - $1,580,719

SS/FS 27 C.J. Spillman - $1,558,334

FB 49 Bruce Miller - $1,446,614

NT 93 Ian Williams - $1,283,333

DE 95 Tank Carradine - $1,124,473

C 67 Daniel Kilgore - $1,022,575

TE 89 Vance McDonald - $817,995

RB 32 Kendall Hunter - $754,805

OLB 96 Corey Lemonier - $640,880

WR 11 Quinton Patton - $592,875

ILB 57 Michael Wilhoite - $570,000

LS 47 Kevin McDermott - $496,666 (This is a lock only if he doesn't regress in offseason, and the team doesn't bring in another LS to compete with him)

RB 38 Marcus Lattimore - $495,146

These 35 players make up a total of $107,232,682 in cap room used up, plus the dead money that will be $3,429,220, which is a total of $110,661,902 used, which leaves $24,821,881 in cap room available to be used on the remaining players 36-53, plus practice squad, and anyone on IR, PUP, or NFI.

Guys who should make it are below.

QB -- Blaine Gabbert - $2,011,587 (Probably takes a pay cut, so it's non guaranteed, and add in a few more years for purpose of grooming him as our #2 guy behind Kap.

RB 23 LaMichael James - $905,154

SS 41 Raymond Ventrone - $855,000 (He is a lock in my eyes, but I put him as a should be, cause not everyone view him or ST guys like him as needs)

OT 71 Jonathan Martin - $824,933 (I think he makes it as the 6th OL, he probably will be there on game days.)

OG 78 Joe Looney - $676,301

CB 30 Eric Wright - $590,000 (Would be $25K more if he makes the roster)

ILB 54 Nick Moody - $521,918 (Probably more of a lock, but we probably bring in a few rooks to compete for a spot behind Willis and Wilhoite.)

That's an additional $6,384,893 plus the additional $25K roster bonus for Wright making the roster, it's a total of $6,409,893.

If we add that number with the previous numbers, we have used up $117,070,795 used up. And that's with 42 players signed for the 53 man roster/reserve lists. That leaves us with a good amount of cap space, around $18,412,988 in cap room. Now the draft picks will take up at least $6,009,358 according to OverTheCap.com's rookie pool projection.

Take away that from our cap room, we still have $12,403,630 in cap room.

I will admit, I was worried about this years cap, but I am thinking more along the lines that we may see some extensions, maybe Crabtree, Kap, Miller, Culliver, and Hunter.

So you see, we don't need Gore to take a pay cut.We all know that the 2014 offseason has begun, and has been a fast, and wild one. But a lot of people are more worried about the 2015 offseason, when the 49ers have a number of key contributors as free agents to be. I want to put the worries to rest, once and for all.


This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.