Golden Nuggets: Missing out on top free agents

Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 edition of the Golden Nuggets, a daily compilation of San Francisco 49ers links from the Internet

By Billy Kerr@bkerr725 Mar 14, 2018, 2:00am PDT

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NFL: Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers

Allen Robinson, Sammy Watkins, and Andrew Norwell were on the 49ers’ radar when the tampering period began on Monday. By Tuesday, all were reported to be signing with other teams. Allen Robinson chose the Chicago Bears, Sammy Watkins went to the Kansas City Chiefs, and Andrew Norwell went to the Jacksonville Jaguars. All 3 received huge deals and the 49ers had no interest in splashing that much money on them. Late Tuesday, Trumaine Johnson, Malcolm Butler, and Dion Lewis, who were also rumored to be 49ers targets, agreed to deals with other teams.

GM John Lynch said he was not going to spend lavishly on free agents. He has already signed a few of his own players to contract extensions and signed Richard Sherman over the weekend. On Tuesday, the 49ers signed OL Weston Richburg to a 5 year deal. He is able to play center and guard, but it is being reported that he will likely play center with the 49ers and Daniel Kilgore will slide over to guard. This pickup helps solidify the offensive line. They will still look to the draft for more reinforcements to protect their prized asset, Jimmy Garoppolo.

All the action the last 2 days makes it seem like the 49ers are losing out. But in reality, the 49ers do not want to throw money around just because they have it. They want players that will help the team win and not handicap their future with terrible contracts. There are still good players available that can help the team out. They are scheduled to have a visit with DeShawn Snead, one of the other corners in Seattle’s defense. The 49ers should make a few moves when the big contracts are out of the way .

49ers links

Bye Allen | Allen Robinson out of the mix (Biderman)

So close, but didn’t get him | Andrew Norwell also out of the mix (Alper)

Bolster the OL | Weston Richburg signed (Inman)

Not surprising | Watkins will not be coming to the 49ers (Maiocco)

Meet your new CB (Eager)

Looking for good players that will help the team without ruining their financials | Free agency focus (Wagoner)

It was all a dream | No splash name receivers (Barrows)

5 year deal for Richburg (Gantt)

New center? (ESPN)

Bolstering the OL (Branch)

Good pickup from the sound of it | Addressing an area of need (Biderman)