The San Francisco 49ers appear to have signed an outside free agent who might actually compete for a starting role! ESPN's Adam Caplan is reporting the team agreed to terms with offensive guard Zane Beadlers on a three-year contract worth $11.75 million.
Beadles previously played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and was released on March 3. The 2010 second round pick of the Denver Broncos signed a 5-year $30 million deal ($12.45 million guaranteed) with the Jaguars in 2014. Beadles was not benched in Jacksonville, but according to Big Cat Country, injuries were really all that prevented it from happening. They say he started slow in 2014, and although he finished the season fairly well, he did not improve in 2015.
It sounds like his strength is in a zone-blocking scheme. The 49ers were making a transition to that last year. Beadles will compete for one of the guard spots. Andrew Tiller likely has a good shot at one, although we don't know what Chip Kelly and his coaching staff will do at the position. Erik Pears, Jordan Devey, Marcus Martin, Brandon Thomas, and Ian Silberman are other potential contributors.