The 2016 NFL league gets started in mid-March, but teams are already working to get under the cap. Earlier today, we heard that the Philadelphia Eagles released Riley Cooper. Now, we can add Jahri Evans to the list. The New Orleans Saints released the guard to clear cap space. The Saints are currently over the projected 2016 salary cap.
Evans is 32, and probably does not have a whole lot of time left in the NFL. However, there are teams that could use a veteran on the offensive line. The 49ers are a team that needs to figure out the holes on their offensive line. I think the 49ers will stick with getting younger, but depending on how they feel about the rest of the line, maybe they pull a Jonathan Goodwin and add a veteran to the group.
Right now, the 49ers offensive line projects as Joe Staley at left tackle, Andrew Tiller at left guard, and Daniel Kilgore at center. The right side of the line remains to be seen. If Anthony Davis does actually come back, one option would be Davis at right guard and Trenton Brown at right tackle. Another option is Davis or Brown at right tackle with the other as the swing tackle, and then Erik Pears at right guard. And if not Pears, well, there's Brandon Thomas, Marcus Martin, Ian Silberman and Jordan Devey competing for opportunities.