More so than the first two offseasons of the Kyle Shanahan/John Lynch regime in San Francisco, the 49ers set out to add long-term options in free agency.
It started almost immediately with the team agreeing to sign former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Bowl linebacker Kwon Alexander to a four-year, $54 million contract. Alexander, 24, will replace the recently-released Reuben Foster as an off-ball linebacker next to Fred Warner.
The following day saw San Francisco make one of the many blockbuster trades of the free-agent period — adding Kansas City Chiefs edge rusher Dee Ford in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers sent a 2020 second-round pick to Kansas City for Ford — signing the Pro Bowler to a lucrative five-year, $85.5 million contract.
On Wednesday, Lynch and Co. addressed the skill positions by adding Tevin Coleman to a crowded running back group. The deal called for $8.5 million over two seasons. Coleman reunites with his former offensive coordinator in Atlanta, Kyle Shanahan.
Minutes after that deal was announced, reports came trickling in that the 49ers had re-signed former first round pick, safety Jimmie Ward, to a one-year, $4.5 million contract.
In addition to this, the 49ers picked up wide receiver Jordan Matthews and injury-plagued cornerback Jason Verrett on one-year deals.
Here’s how these deals break down with a look at what were seemingly mixed results early in free agency for the 49ers.
Kwon Alexander
When healthy, the 24-year-old Alexander has proven to be a talented young backer and a playmaker. He started all 46 games in which he appeared for the Buccaneers in four seasons. The LSU product recorded a combined 380 tackles, 22 passes defended, six interceptions, six forced fumbles and seven sacks with Tampa Bay.
Back in 2017, Alexander tallied 97 tackles and three interceptions en route to earning his first Pro Bowl appearances. Those three picks were one more than the entire 49ers defense recorded last season.
Solid in pass coverage, it’s important to note just how much of a difference maker Alexander was against the run last season. Tampa yielded an average of 90 yards in the six games he played. In the 10 outings Alexander was sidelined, the Bucs gave up an average of 145.5 yards.
Though, this signing does not come without risk. Alexander suffered a torn ACL six games into the 2018 season and likely won’t take part in San Francisco’s early-offseason activities.
There’s also been wide-ranging issues in terms of actual tackling when it comes to Alexander. He’s missed 78 tackles in 3.5 seasons — by far the most in the NFL during this span. That’s obviously a concern.
On the surface, paying out $54 million to a player coming off such a serious injury is worrisome.
That’s until we realize 49ers cap guru Paraag Marathe worked his magic. San Francisco paid out only $14.25 million in fully guaranteed cash. If Alexander doesn’t pan out, the team can get out from under his contract with a mere $3 million dead cap hit following the 2019 seasons. Grade: C+
Dee Ford
Kansas City placed the franchise tag on Ford with the sole idea of trading the former first-round pick. That’s likely the primary reasons these Chiefs got nothing better than a second-round pick in next year’s draft for the stud edge rusher.
What we saw from Ford last season was nothing short of amazing. In addition to racking up 13 sacks, the Auburn product tied J.J. Watt for the NFL lead in forced fumbles with seven. It’s a number that matched the entire 49ers defense last season.
But the advanced metrics tell us a story of a dude that’s going to continue being a dominating force. According to Pro Football Focus, Ford put up the best pass-rush grade among edge defenders in the NFL last season — besting the likes of Von Miller and J.J. Watt in the process.
Ford also led all NFL edge rushers with 71 quarterback pressures during the regular year and 84 combined in the regular season and playoffs. This doesn’t even include a league-high 35 quarterback knockdowns.
Those stunning stats aside, Ford is seemingly a perfect fit for a 49ers defense that’s missed a truly dominant edge rusher. He can play both with his hands down at the line and as the SAM linebacker. Though, we’re expecting him to drop back in coverage less than what we saw in Kansas City. The 49ers made that clear in announcing the acquisition last week.
What are the red flag here and why did the Chiefs give Ford up on the cheap? Some have pointed out that he’s a one-year wonder. Back in 2017, Ford missed 10 games with a back injury. He recorded just seven quarterback hits and two sacks in the six games he played.
That came on the heels of a 2016 campaign in which Ford showed out big time. Having recorded just 5.5 sacks in his first two seasons combined, Ford tallied 17 quarterback hits and 10 sacks.
Kansas City could’ve been scared off by Ford’s back issues. Though, he’s now 100 percent. The team transitioning to a traditional 4-3 defense made retaining him less of a need. Then again, it’s the same defense San Franciso runs.
Ford’s contract was also seemingly an issue for Kansas City. The deal he received with the 49ers following the trade called for a $17.5 million average salary. That ranks Ford fifth among NFL edge rushers. Grade: A
Tevin Coleman
It’s somewhat of a surprise that San Francisco was able to land Coleman on a team-friendly two-year, $8.5 million contract after the team missed out on Le’Veon Bell in free agency.
Having worked with then-Falcons coordinator Kyle Shanahan to start his career, Coleman has more than proven to be a quality threat on offense. Last season alone, the former third-round pick gained 1,076 total yards at a clip of 5.4 yards per touch.
Over the past three seasons, Coleman has racked up nearly 3,000 total yards with 28 touchdown while splitting time with Devonta Freeman in Atlanta.
What makes this signing better is the fact that San Francisco has no interest in moving on from 2018 free-agent signing Jerick McKinnon. The team now has the most-stacked backfield in the entire NFL with three backs capable of 1,000-plus total yards. These two join impressive youngster Matt Breida in the trio. There isn’t much to dislike about this move. Grade: A
Jason Verrett
Verrett’s injury concerns are by now well known. He’s played in a grand total of five games over the past three seasons. But when on the field, Verrett has proven to be among the game’s best cornerbacks. He earned a Pro Bowl appearance with the then-San Diego Chargers back in 2015.
If healthy (a big if), Verrett figures to start opposite Richard Sherman as a boundary corner for San Francisco. Verrett, 27, signed a prove-it deal worth $3.6 million over one season with just $1 million guaranteed.
The issue here is that San Francisco missed out on proven starters without the injury issues. The team was in on both Pierre Desir and Bradley Roby before they signed with the Colts and Texans, respectively.
If Verrett does not work out, the 49ers will be forced to rely on youngsters Ahkello Witherspoon and Tarvarius Moore or look cornerback in Round 2 of April’s draft. Grade: B-
Jordan Matthews
After missing out on Odell Beckham Jr. and Antonio Brown, San Francisco decided on depth at wide receiver. Matthews, 26, has seen his career take a turn since averaging 900 receiving yards in his first three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. In fact, the former second-round pick has hauled in a grand total of 45 passes for 582 yards over the past two seasons.
Even then, this is one of those low-risk, high-reward propositions. Matthews has the body of work is indicative of success as a No. 3 receiver in San Francisco.
He’s also valuable in that the 6-foot-3 receiver has the ability to play both the slot and on the outside. Given the 49ers’ roster make up at wide receiver, this is no small thing. After all, youngsters Trent Taylor and Richie James are really only slot options.
That leaves Dante Pettis, Marquise Goodwin and Kendrick Bourne as outside options. At the very least, Matthews provides quality and proven depth. Grade: A-
Jimmie Ward
This one is absolutely mind-boggling. We’re not sure what the likes of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch see in this former first-round pick. As injury plagued as any player on the 49ers roster outside of Josh Garnett, Ward has played in a grand total of 16 games over the past two seasons. When on the field, he’s struggled big time in pass coverage.
Making matters even more ridiculous is the fact that Ward received $4.5 million over one season with $3 million in total guarantees. Given the top-end safety options in free agency, this feels like a major miss from the 49ers’ front office.
Consider this. Six-time Pro Bowler Eric Weddle got $10.5 million over two seasons from the Los Angeles Rams. Heck, HaHa Clinton-Dix signed for less on a one-year deal with the Bears than Ward received from San Francisco. That’s just gross. Grade: F
