The San Francisco 49ers took Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to overtime but still lost out on a Super Bowl XLIII trophy earlier this month. Now, it’s time for general manager John Lynch, head coach Kyle Shanahan, and the rest of the team’s decision-makers to consider their internal free agent options.
Who are San Francisco’s top FAs in 2024? With little cap space to work with, the 49ers might not have much hope of re-signing many of their incumbent players.
Who Are the San Francisco 49ers’ Upcoming Free Agents?
EDGE Chase Young
The 49ers hoped they were landing untapped potential when they acquired Chase Young from the Washington Commanders at the trade deadline. But the former No. 2 overall pick couldn’t keep up his hot start after being shipped from the nation’s capital to San Francisco.
Young averaged 5.4 pressures per game with the Commanders. With the 49ers, he posted just three pressures per game and faced questions about his effort.
MORE: 2024 NFL Free Agents by Position
Still, Young could be in for a significant contract. Fellow pass rushers like Josh Allen and Brian Burns will likely be franchise-tagged 30-year-old Danielle Hunter as Young’s primary threat among FA edge defenders.
Young won’t turn 25 until April. Only one team needs to lean on its pre-draft evaluation of the Ohio State product for him to land $20 million in free agency.
QB Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold inked a one-year, $4.5 million deal to join the 49ers last offseason. He’s barely played behind Brock Purdy, attempting just 20 passes until starting San Francisco’s meaningless Week 18 finale against the Los Angeles Rams.
Darnold completed 16 of 26 attempts for 189 yards and one touchdown in that game, hardly enough for further evaluation. Still, Darnold’s physical talent has never been in question, and he posted a 55+ QBR in three of his seven starts to close the 2022 campaign with the Carolina Panthers.
He could return as Purdy’s backup in 2024, but there’s a chance the former first-round pick could have starting appeal around the NFL.
DT Javon Kinlaw
It’s difficult to imagine Javon Kinlaw returning to San Francisco next year. The 49ers already declined the former first-rounder’s fifth-year-option for 2024. And with Hargrave and Arik Armstead under contract, San Francisco will spend $45+ million on its interior defensive line next season, the second-highest total in the NFL, per Over the Cap.
Kinlaw showed more pass-rushing juice this season and appeared in all 17 games. Injuries have historically been a corner for Kinlaw, who appeared in only 10 total games from 2021-22. He’ll probably need to sign a modest one-year deal to rebuild his value.
S Tashaun Gipson
The ageless wonder, Tashaun Gipson has started at least 12 games for 11 straight seasons. The 33-year-old didn’t even sign with the 49ers until late August of last year but then went on to start all 17 games.
MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart
Gipson became even more critical in 2023 after fellow safety Talanoa Hufang tore his ACL, leaving, fifth-round rookie Ji’Ayir Brown in the starting lineup. Gipson is the clear leader of San Francisco’s safety group. Another one-year, $3-4 million contract to stick with the Niners in 2024 could make sense.
Other 49ers 2024 Free Agents
- QB Brandon Allen
- WR Chris Conley
- WR Jauan Jennings (restricted free agent)
- WR Ray-Ray McCloud
- TE Ross Dwelley
- TE Charlie Woerner
- OT Matt Pryor
- G Ben Bartch
- G Jon Feliciano
- EDGE Clelin Ferrell
- EDGE Randy Gregory
- DT Keith Givens
- DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
- LB Oren Burks
- LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
- S Logan Ryan
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!