The San Francisco 49ers filled out their 90-man roster this past week, and it would appear they are mostly done with free agency. We could see a veteran or two to compete in camp, but the roster is just about set.
With that in mind, I thought now is as good a time as any to start the look ahead to the 49ers 2018 free agents. The front office does not appear to be in a huge rush to issue any contract extensions, and that makes sense. They’ve got tape on all these players, plus a month and a half of the offseason workout program, but there is a lot to figure out. The team is implementing a new offense and defense, and the team has to wait and see how these guys might perform before deciding on extensions. It is possible they extend some players, but I am not expecting much before the start of the season.
A quick reminder on the types of free agency:
- Unrestricted free agency: Players with at least four years of accrued service time. They can sign with anybody once the new league year starts next March. The 49ers can decide to restrict them through use of the franchise or transition tags.
- Restricted free agency: Players with three years of accrued service time, but not four or more. The 49ers can choose to place one of three tenders on them: 1st round, 2nd round, original round. The tender salary increases with each tender, and the compensation is that round draft pick (original round tender on a UDFA means no draft pick compensation). The 49ers get the right of first refusal if an RFA signs an offer sheet with another team.
- Exclusive rights free agency: Players with less than three years of accrued service time. These players can sign with nobody else unless the 49ers renounce their rights. The 49ers have the right to hand them a contract for the league minimum, and the player either has to sign it or not play.
Here is a full list of the unrestricted, restricted, and exclusive rights free agents. Jimmie Ward’s four-year rookie deal was set to expire after the 2017 season, but the 49ers exercised his fifth-year option, so he is off the list.
Unrestricted
OLB Ahmad Brooks
DE Tank Carradine
LB Brock Coyle
WR Bruce Ellington
OL Garry Gilliam
RB Tim Hightower
RB Carlos Hyde
CB Dontae Johnson
DT Chris Jones
OL Daniel Kilgore
DE Aaron Lynch
TE Logan Paulsen
S Eric Reid
Restricted
RB Kapri Bibbs
CB Keith Reaser
WR Rashad Ross (might be ERFA)
S Vinnie Sunseri
CB K’Waun Williams
Exclusive Rights
RB Raheem Mostert
WR DeAndre Smelter