The San Francisco 49ers signed arguably the biggest free agent available in defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, inking him to a four-year, $84 million deal to improve their interior defensive line.
However, the team also lost several key pieces, creating holes on the roster, both in regards to the starters and the depth.
Which free agent will be the team's biggest loss in 2023?
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Here are some of the biggest losses for the 49ers this offseason:
RT Mike McGlinchey
McGlinchey's departure from the 49ers was inevitable, but still unfortunate, as he signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract with the Denver Broncos in free agency.
McGlinchey had been a polarizing player with the 49ers, often being the subject of criticism from fans due to his up-and-down play, but still provided a level of quality at a position that doesn't feature a significant number of high-end players.
The 49ers elected not to improve at the position via outside resources, rather placing their trust in swing tackle Colton McKivitz to take over at the starting spot.
Whether McKivitz is up for the task has yet to be seen, and the 49ers' offensive strategy, specifically with the run game, could depend on that answer.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
If anything was inevitable, it was the breakup between the 49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo, so much to the fact that head coach Kyle Shanahan publicly shut down any chance of bringing back the longtime starter following the season.
Garoppolo. San Francisco's signal-caller since the end of the 2017 season, signed a three-year, $67.5 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason.
The 49ers assigned Garoppolo as their backup last season after an eventful offseason between the two sides, and Brock Purdy played well following the 30-year-old's foot injury.
The 49ers return Purdy and last year's starter, Trey Lance, while adding Sam Darnold in free agency.
It's safe to say they're supplemented at the position, even if there isn't a definite answer on a starter yet.
DEs Charles Omenihu/Samson Ebukam
The 49ers lost not only one, but two productive defense ends in Charles Omenihu and Samson Ebukam, who signed multi-year deals with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Indianapolis Colts, respectively.
Omenihu was San Francisco's second-most- productive pass rusher in 2022, securing 4.5 sacks, with advanced metrics increasing his value.
Ebukam, on the other hand, has been a consistent starter since his arrival in the Bay,
providing good effort in fulfilling his role.
The 49ers chose not to replenish their depth at the position with big-name players, instead relying on the likes of 2022 second-round pick Drake Jackson.
Jackson will be asked to step into a bigger role in 2023, and has shown progress in growing into his frame, although he is still an unproven commodity.
The 49ers' will miss the consistency that Ebukam and Omenihu brought, especially the latter's efforts in the run game, in their pursuit of getting back to their elite ranks of 2019 and 2021 on the defensive line.
DBs Jimmie Ward/Emmanuel Moseley
In addition to their losses along the defensive line, the 49ers lost a pair of contributors in the secondary with the departures of Jimmie Ward and Emmanuel Moseley, who signed with the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions, respectively.
Ward, the longest-tenured 49er prior to his departure, had seen a role change following multiple unfortunate injuries in 2023, operating as a slot cornerback more than as a safety, where he excelled over the past two seasons.
With the emergence of safety Tashaun Gipson alongside All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga, there wasn't enough space in the secondary to warrant a hefty contract for Ward, who made it clear that his desire was to return to his prior position.
Still, Ward was an underrated player for the majority of his career, serving as a versatile chess piece for the 49ers and having strong play in each role.
Moseley, on the other hand, tore his ACL during San Francisco's Week 5 win over the Carolina Panthers, effectively ending his season and pushing Deommodore Lenoir into a full-time starting role on the outside.
Lenoir grew in his role as an outside corner and retains his starting spot for 2023, where he will be a full-time starter for the first time.
Ward's loss was inevitable, but the 49ers did retain their starting safeties from a year ago, while selecting Ji'Ayir Brown with their top pick, who has seen a strong start in minicamp and OTAs, according to reports.
Moseley's deal was a matter of the 49ers' comfortability in Lenoir, as well as a potential contract for a player coming off an ACL injury, although he had been another underrated piece in the secondary that grew into a high-end CB2 in San Francisco.
The 49ers lost several key free agents, with some being inevitable departures, but regrouped at some positions, while relying on previous depth at others in crucial decisions that could make or break their 2023 season.
- Rohan Chakravarthi
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Written by:Writer/Reporter for 49ers Webzone
