The San Francisco 49ers could be bracing to lose its starting left guard of the past five seasons. Laken Tomlinson is scheduled to become a free agent on March 16, and it sounds increasingly unlikely that he will return to the Niners.
"[Tomlinson is] emerging as a top guard available and could spark a bidding war closer to free agency," wrote Jeremy Fowler in a recent feature for ESPN. "The Bengals, Panthers, Vikings, Steelers, Jets, and Seahawks are among teams that will be in the guard market."
Like defensive tackle D.J. Jones, Tomlinson expressed interest in returning to the 49ers in 2022. However, both may have priced themselves out of San Francisco.
"I love it here," Tomlinson said in January. "I kind of watched myself develop into the man, the player, the husband, and the father, the character that I am today, and it all started with getting traded here to the 49ers. I owe a lot of thank yous to a lot of people that had faith in me here.
"I would love to stay, but I know it's a business, and we'll just see what happens. But I love it here, I always loved it here, and everyone's been great to me here."
The 49ers traded for Tomlinson (6-3, 315) on August 31, 2017, sending a 2019 fifth-round draft pick to the Detroit Lions. The offensive lineman started every game since Week 2 of the 2017 season, proving to be one of the team's most dependable players and one of the best value additions of the Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch era.
Fowler adds that the 49ers might be among those interested in Kansas City Chiefs cornerback and impending free agent Charvarius Ward. Most expect San Francisco to target a veteran cornerback in free agency.
"He has emerged as a key player in the cornerback market and should be paid quite well," wrote Fowler. "Expect the Chargers and San Francisco 49ers to be interested, among others. He might not be paid as much as, say, a J.C. Jackson or Carlton Davis. But don't be surprised if he's awfully close."
Ward (6-1, 198) recorded 67 tackles, two tackles for a loss, two interceptions, and 10 passes defensed for the Chiefs in 2021.