Report: 49ers are looking to clean up some cap issues and have made Ford, Alexander, and Tartt available

The San Francisco 49ers are a lot of things, but they are not boring. The Athletic’s Michael Lombardi reported, “from talking to other teams around the NFL and the 49ers want to clean up some cap issues and have made Dee Ford and Kwon Alexander along with Goodwin and Tartt available for trade. Will they get takers? Not sure, but all four names are on the available list for the right price.”

First off, wow.

Secondly, it’ll be very difficult to move Ford and Alexander given their salaries. Kwon already restructured in November. If the 49ers trade Alexander with a pre-June 1 designation, they’d have $13.5 million in dead money, so that isn’t happening. Post June-1 is much more digestible as the 49ers would only have $3.1 million in dead money and save $1.4 against the cap.

Ford has a massive contract, and his injury history doesn’t give you much confidence that Ford would be available for a full season. That’s not much of a surprise to hear the 49ers shopping Ford. If Lynch can move Ford for a second-round pick, he’s a mastermind. The Niners can save $14.3 million with a post-June 1 designation if Ford is traded. Would Lynch be willing to accept a third-round pick for Ford in exchange for savings? That’s likely a discussion he’s having. Notre Dame’s Julian Okwara is a player to keep an eye on in the draft. If the 49ers are willing to move on from Ford does that mean they have another player in mind? Jadeveon Clowney? Yannick Ngakoue? Both players aren’t really helping San Francisco “save.”

I’d be disappointed in moving on from Tartt as he’s one of my favorite players on the roster. That said, it’s a business, and Tartt is entering the final season of his contract. Could Tartt be a surprise cut? Those figures don’t change if Tartt is traded. The 49ers have met with Ashytn Davis is will likely be selected on the second day of the draft. Davis can be interchangeable with Jimmie Ward. If traded, what is Tartt’s value? Why would a team trade anything more than a fourth-round pick given his injury history?

All of these discussions are fascinating, and it looks like we’re in for an exciting week.