49ers offseason shot, Pt. II: Swap for Stafford, keep Verrett and sign C Alex Mack

Last week, we reviewed the first offseason plan for the San Francisco 49ers which involved keeping Jimmy Garoppolo and drafting a first-round quarterback. In today’s second installment, we’ll change the situation for the quarterback, which is the domino that will affect the outcome of the rest of the roster.

Let’s move on to another edition of the Niners’ offseason plan, from free agency to draft, starting with who’s left.

Who stays?

• Trent Williams
• Jason Verrett
• Jaquiski Tartt
• Solomon thomas
• Jordan willis
• Dontae Johnson

In this scenario, the 49ers retain Tartt and Verrett while losing Kendrick Bourne and Kyle Juszczyk in free agency after not being able to afford the prize of either player. Losing two players who were a vital part of your offensive identity in recent seasons could be a tough pill to swallow at first, but we’re judging these offseason plans by the overall result and not by a player or two.

Keeping Verrett and Tartt maintains continuity in secondary school. As a new year approaches, with as much uncertainty as there is on the list, the last thing you want are three new starters in high school. Verrett, Tartt, Jimmie Ward and San Francisco are expected to draft or sign a cornerback.

Who signs from outside the building?

• WR Cordarrelle Patterson
• C Alex Mack
• EDGE Haason Reddick
• EDGE Everson Griffen
• DT Austin Johnson
• CB PJ Williams

Again, as was the case last week, the 49ers are expected to sign several more free agents to fill their roster than those listed above, but these are the notable names.

Returning units from San Francisco were wrecked last season. How do you resolve this? By signing the best kick returner in the NFL. Patterson has led the league in kicking return for the past two seasons. The Bears also used Patterson as a running back and occasional wide receiver last season. I’m sure Kyle Shanahan could find ways to get Patterson involved on offense.

Tackling center position is a must, and the easiest connection for Shanahan would be to bring in the center that helped him get to the Super Bowl in 2016. Since then, Mack has only missed two starts. in five seasons. He’s not the same All-Pro player, but Mack is an instant center upgrade and already knows the offense. At 35, Mack’s price shouldn’t be too high.

Reddick is the price of this free agent class for San Francisco. It won’t be cheap and you shouldn’t expect it to be. We know Paraage and the company are brains when it comes to manipulating the salary cap and moving money. Giving Reddick a strong incentive contract in the first year while giving him enough guaranteed money to sign should do the trick.

“Hey, Haason, how would you like to rush the passer opposite Nick Bosa for the next three seasons while still doing it with a lead?” Did I add that you will be 1 to 1 all the time? Oh, and you’ll play twice against Arizona, the same team that ruined the first three years of your career. It sounds good? “

Griffen is an in-depth signer who would presumably sign for the minimum veteran as he seeks a chance to win it all. Johnson replaces DJ Jones in the middle while Williams replaces K’Waun.

Because we added Reddick, we can’t recruit someone to start across from Verrett. We also downgraded in the slot machine because PJ is not at the same level as K’waun. You’re not going to sign 11 All-Pros in the offseason, and that’s the risk you’re taking as you head into the draft.

Who is traded?

Over the weekend, the Detroit Lions and Matthew Stafford agreed to go their separate ways. In that scenario, the 49ers trade the No.12 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, plus a compensatory third-round pick in 21 and 22 to acquire Stafford.

The 49ers have the edge, as the No.12 pick is worth more than anything Washington or Indianapolis could offer. If San Francisco wants to do it, they will.

After failing to trade Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco is forced to give up Jimmy G and he is free to sign anywhere. After landing at Stafford, which would take place on the first day of the league’s new year on March 17, the 49ers are reworking Stafford’s contract to give them enough leeway to land Williams and Verrett.

San Francisco is already out in the lead by around $ 4 million following the acquisition of Stafford and the release of Garoppolo, but the contract restructuring adds a few more million that the 49ers desperately need.

I’ve heard everything about Stafford. “He will get killed behind that offensive line.” The 49ers’ offensive line is significantly better than Detroit’s. I cannot stress this enough. The Niners finished ninth in 2020 at adjusted sack rate while the Lions finished 21st. Stafford had to deal with more unlocked rushers in the three games I watched last season than either 49er quarterback did all season.

It doesn’t hurt that Stafford knows how to save time in the pocket:

Stafford has never had anything close to a recoverable running game during his time in Detroit. Comparing his situation with the Lions to any other QB is worthless as Detroit has proven to be one of the most incompetent franchises in the NFL.

Stafford would improve the skills of the players around him. I feel like it needs to be said. He would give guys opportunities to make plays that the current quarterbacks on the roster wouldn’t.

Who is drafted?

Stafford is worthy of a first-round pick. He is 33 years old. You would think he had a year left as some have spoken of Stafford. If San Francisco got 4-5 years from Stafford, they won the trade, and we look back at how this deal is a road theft in two years.

In the second round, you better find someone who could cover. I invest in the cornerback of Syracuse Ifeatu Melifonwu. He’s making a name for himself this week at the Senior Bowl, and taking him to the second round will seem like a gift rather than a litter after this week.

With my picks from Day 3, I continue to invest in wide receivers, an offensive line and passing throwers. If a QB like Kellen Mond falls in the fourth round that I like, then I have found my development plan.

Perspective

I prefer this scenario to the first. While a Garoppolo / Lance pairing is nice, you have one sure thing in Stafford. You know what you are getting. There’s no hope. ”Suppose the 49ers enter the draft“ hoping ”to select a quarterback, that wishful thinking is more likely to backfire than any other outcome.

There is a risk here, as with any other movement. Losing Bourne means you bet on the health of Jalen Hurd or Richie James or even a day 3 spread in the draft to produce. Losing Juice means Ross Dwelley, Charlie Woerner or UDFA Josh Hokit should do the heavy lifting at the back. These are two important tasks.

We have improved the defensive line where Arik Armstead is now the third best passer. Assuming Javon Kinlaw takes the next step, I would be delighted with that defensive line and confident they would protect my high school.

But it all comes back to the quarterback. What we saw in 2019 looked like a mirage. It won’t happen again, and the 49ers know it. Instead of “hoping” for a perfect situation, be the aggressor. Stafford gives San Francisco a chance to win now, later, without mortgaging the future or clearing the list. You also add talent through restructuring contracts.

The 49ers will be competitive next season no matter who’s under center, thanks to the talent that’s already on the roster. But competitiveness is not the goal. Stafford is the best of all worlds and takes this team, not offense, the team, to another level.