The San Francisco 49ers enter free agency with six unrestricted free agents. The group includes WR Anquan Boldin, OG Alex Boone, RB Reggie Bush, TE Garrett Celek, K Phil Dawson, and DT Ian Williams. They have four restricted free agents (RB Shaun Draughn, ILB Michael Wilhoite, DT Tony Jerod-Eddie, OLB Ray-Ray Armstrong) and two exclusive rights free agents (OG Jordan Devey, RB Kendall Gaskins), but the restrictions on them make it relatively easy for the 49ers to retain them if they so choose.
Pro Football Focus released their list of the top 75 free agents of 2016. The top five includes at least four players that are all but certain to be franchised.
1. OLB Von Miller
2. WR Alshon Jeffery
3. CB Josh Norman
4. DE Muhammad Wilkerson
5. DE Olivier Vernon
The 49ers have two players on the list, Ian Williams and Alex Boone. They rank then No. 49 and 55, respectively. Here's what they have to say about the two players:
49. Ian Williams, NT
2015 team: San Francisco 49ers
Williams is a level below Damon Harrison, but he's a similar type of player who is a very good run defender at nose tackle.
55. Alex Boone, G
2015 team: San Francisco 49ers
Boone has historically been good in the run game, but his first negative run-blocking grade came in 2015 with a switch to the other side of the line.
The list includes some heavy hitters, but also looks long at potential for some of the younger guys. The wide receivers on the list include Jeffery, Marvin Jones (29), and Rishard Matthews (67). I'm not entirely surprised Anquan Boldin is not listed even among the top nine wide receivers. I think he can be a strong weapon for a contender, but his age is going to keep him under the radar for plenty of people, but I expect to see him sign somewhere and make a solid impact as his career approaches an end.
The 49ers enter free agency with a ton of cap space. They will likely use some of that money to extend their own players, but what about free agents? There's a lot of intriguing talent on the open market. I don't think they should go out and blow a ton of money just to blow a ton of money. The Draft will be an essential part of the team's continued development. But with a whole lot of money at their disposal, the 49ers have the power to do some damage in free agency if they pick their spots.