Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN senior writer John Clayton went through the site's original list of the top 150 free agent ranking and
listed the top 20 players who are still available. Two players within the updated list were with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016. They are quarterback
Colin Kaepernick, who sits at the number 8 spot, and
Gerald Hodges, who sits at the number 13 spot.
"Whether it's politics or his mechanics as a quarterback, Kaepernick is finding a cold reception in free agency. Like [Jay] Cutler, he could have to wait for a call until after the draft."
According to 49ers general manager John Lynch, an NFL team came close to signing Kaepernick in the opening days of free agency. "He was, in everyone's mind in the league, close to signing a deal with a team at a really good number and it fell through, apparently," Lynch said
during an interview on KNBR last week.
Many within the media have opinions on why there has been a "cold reception" for Kaepernick. Some place the blame on his diminished play over the past few seasons while others feel that his protest of the national anthem during the 2016 season hurt his market value.
Although, Kaepernick's numbers last season were not terrible despite only starting 11 games. In 2016, he completed 59.2-percent of his passes for 2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions through 11 games.
"Hodges did well in the 49ers' 3-4 defense -- 80 tackles last season -- but they are shifting to a 4-3. Hodges has expressed interest in returning to the Vikings, the team that drafted him in the fourth round in 2013."
In 2016, Hodges played in 15 games, starting 12, and set career highs in tackles (83), sacks (3), and interceptions (2) despite playing on a 49ers defense that ranked last in the league in multiple categories.
There have been no reports of the 49ers attempting to re-sign either player and the team seemed perfectly content with allowing them to hit free agency.
First off, it's worth noting that Bleacher Report's Chris Roling lists Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavier Rhodes among the crop of 2021 free agents most likely to be overpaid next offseason. How could that be relevant to San Francisco 49ers fans? Roling lists the Niners as potential suitors.
It is worth noting that this is likely based purely on speculation and not any insider knowledge surrounding the team's thinking. Still, San Francisco doesn't have a cornerback signed beyond this season. Not one. So, expect San Francisco to be linked to several defensive backs during the upcoming offseason, including its own.
Also on Roling's
The San Francisco 49ers put in a claim last week for Takkarist McKinley after the Atlanta Falcons waived the defensive end. He ended up being awarded to the Cincinnati Bengals, though.
McKinley is available again after failing to pass his physical.
We've made the following roster moves: Waived DE Takk McKinley (failed physical) & released OT O'Shea Dugas from the practice squad.— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals)
The San Francisco 49ers are currently scheduled to have a lot of their players hit free agency next offseason. A lot. Thirty-four players are scheduled to become either an unrestricted free agent or a restricted free agent, according to Spotrac.com. Seven more are scheduled to become exclusive-rights free agents.
One of the team's biggest names scheduled to hit free agency is offensive tackle Trent Williams, who has played just nine games with the team. San Francisco traded for the seven-time Pro Bowl selection in April to replace the retiring Joe Staley.
ESPN's Kevin Seifert
