With training camp starting this week, it's time to recap the San Francisco 49ers' 2021 offseason. Below is a rundown of the team's offseason roster moves, including draft picks, signings, re-signings, and departures.
Salary Cap Space
$17,694,845, per OverTheCap.com
Draft Picks
Round 1, Pick 3: QB
Trey Lance, North Dakota State
Round 2, Pick 48: OG
Aaron Banks, Notre Dame
Round 3, Pick 88: RB
Trey Sermon, Ohio State
Round 3, Pick 102: CB
Ambry Thomas, Michigan
Round 5, Pick 155: OT
Jaylon Moore, Western Michigan
Round 5, Pick 172: CB
Deommodore Lenoir, Oregon
Round 5, Pick 180: S
Talanoa Hufanga, USC
Round 6, Pick 194: RB
Elijah Mitchell, Louisiana
Undrafted Free Agents Signed
LB Justin Hilliard, Ohio State
TE Josh Pederson, Louisiana-Monroe
LB Elijah Sullivan, Kansas State
WR Austin Watkins Jr, UAB
OL
Alfredo Gutierrez, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Note: Each player was signed to a three-year contract
Free Agent Signings
LB James Burgess (Packers, 1-yr, $990K)
LB
Samson Ebukam (Rams, 2-yr, $12M)
WR Bennie Fowler (Saints, 1-yr, $990K)
RB Wayne Gallman (Giants, 1-yr, $990K)
DT Maurice Hurst Jr. (Raiders, 1-yr, $1.045M)
S Tony Jefferson (DNP in 2020, 1-yr, $1.075M)
OL Senio Kelemete (Texans, 1-yr, $1.075M)
DL Zach Kerr (Panthers, 1-yr, $1.2M)
DE Arden Key (Raiders, 1-yr, $1.245M)
C Alex Mack (Falcons, 3-yr, $14.85M)
TE MyCole Pruitt (Titans, 1-yr, $990K)
WR Mohamed Sanu (Lions, 1-yr, $1.075M)
WR Trent Sherfield (Cardinals, 1-yr, $920K)
QB
Nate Sudfeld (Eagles, 1-yr, $990K)
WR Nsimba Webster (Rams, claimed off waivers)
S Tavon Wilson (Colts, 1-yr, $1.125M)
DE Eddie Yarbrough (Vikings, 1-yr)
Re-signings
OL
Daniel Brunskill (ERFA, 1-yr tender, $850K)
G Tom Compton (UFA, 1-yr, $1.075M)
WR River Cracraft (ERFA, 1-yr, $850K)
TE
Ross Dwelley (RFA, 1-yr, $1.6M)
S Marcell Harris (RFA, 1-yr, $1.25M)
CB
Dontae Johnson (UFA, 1-yr, $1.075M)
DT D.J. Jones (UFA, 1-yr, $3.5M)
FB
Kyle Juszczyk (UFA, 5-yrs, $27M)
S Jared Mayden (UFA, 1-yr, $660K)
CB
Emmanuel Moseley (RFA, 2-yrs, $9.4M)
S Kai Nacua (ERFA, 1-yr, $850K)
LS
Taybor Pepper (RFA, 2-yr, $2.08M)
QB Josh Rosen (ERFA, 1-yr, $850K)
S Jaquiski Tartt (UFA, 1-yr, $1.13M)
CB
Jason Verrett (UFA, 1-yr, $5.5M)
RB Austin Walter (ERFA, 1-yr, $780K)
CB Ken Webster (ERFA, 1-yr, $850K)
CB K'Waun Williams (UFA, 1-yr, $2.38M)
T
Trent Williams (UFA, 6-rs, $138.06M)
DE
Jordan Willis (UFA, 1-yr, $990K)
RB
Jeff Wilson Jr. (ERFA, 1-yr, $2.03M)
Departures
QB C.J. Beathard (UFA, Jaguars)
DE Ronald Blair (released, UFA, Jets)
WR Kendrick Bourne (UFA, Patriots)
RB Tevin Coleman (UFA, Jets)
DE
Kerry Hyder (UFA, Seahawks)
RB Jerick McKinnon (UFA, Chiefs)
QB Nick Mullens (non-tendered RFA, Eagles)
WR Trent Taylor (UFA, Bengals)
DL Solomon Thomas (UFA, Raiders)
LB Joe Walker (UFA, Washington)
CB Ahkello Witherspoon (UFA, Seahawks)
Retired
C Weston Richburg
TE Jordan Reed
Unsigned Free Agents
DE Ezekiel Ansah
C Tony Bergstrom
C Ben Garland
C Hroniss Grasu
DE Dion Jordan
LB
Mark Nzeocha (non-tendered RFA)
CB Richard Sherman
CB Jamar Taylor
The offseason free agent additions by the 49ers of linebacker Oren Burks, wide receiver/return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud and safety George Odum may not have generated a huge amount of buzz among the team's fans, but 49ers coaches couldn't be more excited with the fact they were able to add all three of those players to the roster.
That's because the 49ers headed into the offseason with a desire to improve on special teams while adding depth at each one of those positions, and Burks, McCloud and Odum were highly-ranked targets for the 49ers in each area. And so far, each player has exceeded the expectations surrounding them when they were brought aboard.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and special teams coordinator Brian Schneider spoke during the team's recent
Earlier this week, CBS Sports compiled a list of every NFL team's most questionable offseason move, and pointed to the Jimmy Garoppolo saga for the San Francisco 49ers, which still remains unanswered as mandatory minicamp has concluded.
While there were several potential choices, such as San Francisco's contract negotiations with Deebo Samuel that ultimately resulted in a trade request by the fourth-year receiver, CBS Sports's Jordan Dajani believed that the outcome of the Garoppolo situation was the most questionable move.
"We could discuss something related to Deebo Samuel here, but it seems
In May, a frustrated Javon Kinlaw lashed out at Sports Illustrated reporter Grant Cohn after calling into his video podcast. Equally frustrated teammates came out in defense of Kinlaw's actions. Things escalated to the point where San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch had to sit down with his player and the media member to hash out the situation.
Kinlaw's teammate, tight end George Kittle, joined the Bussin' with the Boys podcast this week and was asked about the drama that unfolded between Kinlaw and the reporter.
"It
Fans like to play "What If," wondering what things might be like had their favorite team opted for a different choice at a pivotal moment. Fans aren't the only ones, though. Take former San Francisco 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt, now with the Philadelphia Eagles, for instance. His missed interception of a Matthew Stafford pass intended for receiver Van Jefferson in the NFC title game might have sent the Niners back to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years.
"That's a play I should make in my sleep, and I didn't make it," Tartt said after the game. "... I know that was a big play in the game, a big opportunity for me and for the team, and as a player, I just feel like I let my brothers down."
Had Tartt made the play, maybe the 49ers win their sixth