Much has been made of the players the 49ers lost, released, or traded these past few weeks. Many pundits have begun suggesting this is a rebuild rather than a reset. But while the list is long, the real question is whether it was significant.
Here are the most noteworthy players no longer on the team:
Traded:
- WR Deebo Samuel
Lost in free agency:
- LB Dre Greenlaw
- S Talanoa Hufanga
- CB Charvarius Ward
- OG Aaron Banks
Released:
- DT Maliek Collins
- DT Javon Hargrave
- Edge Leonard Floyd
Now, let's break it down.
The biggest loss was Greenlaw. He is a statement maker—when he is healthy. The sad reality is Greenlaw has only completed a full season once, his rookie year. He took part in two games last year and didn't finish either of them. In 2021, he played in only three. If he had been an iron man, I have a feeling general manager John Lynch would have found a way to get the money. But with the cap problems the Niners have, it was too big a risk.
Hufanga is also a difference maker, a former All-Pro at that—and also someone who has missed extensive time. Unlike with Greenlaw, though, the 49ers drafted safety Malik Mustapha last year, and he looked good. Maybe he was not as good as Hufanga, but he was just a rookie.
Mooney Ward was one of the best corners in the league two years ago. Last year, he took a step back. He was still solid, but Deommodore Lenoir was the better defensive back. And, perhaps more importantly, when Ward lost time due to the tragic loss of his daughter, rookie Renardo Green filled in admirably and showed the GM and coaches he was ready to start.
Deebo is a real weapon. Or is it "was"? His play has declined for a number of years now. And Ricky Pearsall looked awfully good down the stretch. Are their careers heading in different directions?
Hargrave was out for the season, but even when healthy the year before, he was not a difference-maker. Leonard Floyd had the quietest 8.5 sacks I've ever seen. On the top 49er defenses, Collins would have been a rotational player.
Aaron Banks is one of those linemen whose name has never been used in the same sentence with the words "Pro Bowl."
There have certainly been losses, but if we are going to be accurate, it's been more quantity than quality, and for most of those with great talent, we have young players with bright futures currently on the team.
There is no doubt the pressure is on John Lynch to nail this draft, but with picks earlier each round than usual, he has a better chance of doing that. Finding someone who performs at a higher level than Collins or Hargrave is not the gargantuan task that replacing DeForest Buckner was a few years ago. Combine a good draft this year with a good one next and a few players in free agency when we have a little money again, and the team could contend.