09-07-2023, 06:15 AM
The most intriguing news is the the Niners restructured George Kittle and Trent Williams contracts to create $24M in 2023 cap space, now the 2nd most of any team not named Cleveland Browns.
What are they planning to do with this space? Some are speculating it is making room for Brandon Aiyuk extension. Some are thinking making room for a trade for a disgruntled star or close to star on another team, like maybe DE Brian Burns of Carolina Panthers.
I would think the objective would be a trade for another star this season, perhaps a rental type player. Someone in the final year of their contract that won't count against the 2024 cap.
It's the most fascinating roster in the NFL, with super stars everywhere (team with most NFL Top 100 players this year and not counting Javon Hargrave), and a QB making $800k putting up Top 10 QB numbers. Now they have at least $24M and 12 2024 draft picks to spend, including 1 and 2.
I like Aiyuk, but I wouldn't be giving him an extension now because he is under contract this year and his option year is next year. All focus has to be on 2023, and that means using this and possibly more created cap space to make a trade for a big talent before Oct. 31 trade deadline.
The Niners have draft capital and cap space to spend. And like the last two years, they likely can't afford 1st or even 2nd rd picks with current roster. I thought maybe Niners might be thinking of shoring up the RT spot and have someone in mind there, but the next two years of Free Agent RTs makes clear the pickings are exceptionally slim and don't cost much. Typically teams making Super Bowl runs load up on pass rushers, and after watching the Eagles last year, I think this is where the Niners will focus. Here are three possible difference making DEs available that the Niners can now afford in a trade:
- Chase Young, Washington Commanders. He was NFL DROY in 2020, suffered an ACL tear in 2021, and didn't play much in 2022. His fifth year option was declined and he will be a free agent after this season. He can probably be had for a 2nd rd pick right now. Trading for Young now - before the season starts, and he demonstrates he might be back to form - would be a relatively low risk, high possible reward, and kind of shockingly cheap. The Commanders also only have $2M in cap space, so unloading Young's contract would help them right now.
- Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers. Same draft class as Bosa, had 12.5 sacks last year, has missed two starts over last three seasons, and wants an extension. He's in a similar situation as Bosa was, meaning the Panthers can't franchise tag him and he will be a UFA after this season if he doesn't sign an extension. Niners could trade for him, do an extension they can't afford, and then trade him in the offseason. There will be no shortage of suitors.
- Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings. He's three years older than Burns and Young, and in last year of a deal that prohibits him from being franchised tagged. His best sack years have been at DE, but he's now playing OLB. I'd bet he'd love to go back to DE and pump up his sack numbers for his free agent year without a franchise tag.
All three of them could be rental DEs the Niners can absolutely afford right now, and one could possibly be signed and turned into a trade chip that would likely net at least a 1st rd pick.
What are they planning to do with this space? Some are speculating it is making room for Brandon Aiyuk extension. Some are thinking making room for a trade for a disgruntled star or close to star on another team, like maybe DE Brian Burns of Carolina Panthers.
I would think the objective would be a trade for another star this season, perhaps a rental type player. Someone in the final year of their contract that won't count against the 2024 cap.
It's the most fascinating roster in the NFL, with super stars everywhere (team with most NFL Top 100 players this year and not counting Javon Hargrave), and a QB making $800k putting up Top 10 QB numbers. Now they have at least $24M and 12 2024 draft picks to spend, including 1 and 2.
I like Aiyuk, but I wouldn't be giving him an extension now because he is under contract this year and his option year is next year. All focus has to be on 2023, and that means using this and possibly more created cap space to make a trade for a big talent before Oct. 31 trade deadline.
The Niners have draft capital and cap space to spend. And like the last two years, they likely can't afford 1st or even 2nd rd picks with current roster. I thought maybe Niners might be thinking of shoring up the RT spot and have someone in mind there, but the next two years of Free Agent RTs makes clear the pickings are exceptionally slim and don't cost much. Typically teams making Super Bowl runs load up on pass rushers, and after watching the Eagles last year, I think this is where the Niners will focus. Here are three possible difference making DEs available that the Niners can now afford in a trade:
- Chase Young, Washington Commanders. He was NFL DROY in 2020, suffered an ACL tear in 2021, and didn't play much in 2022. His fifth year option was declined and he will be a free agent after this season. He can probably be had for a 2nd rd pick right now. Trading for Young now - before the season starts, and he demonstrates he might be back to form - would be a relatively low risk, high possible reward, and kind of shockingly cheap. The Commanders also only have $2M in cap space, so unloading Young's contract would help them right now.
- Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers. Same draft class as Bosa, had 12.5 sacks last year, has missed two starts over last three seasons, and wants an extension. He's in a similar situation as Bosa was, meaning the Panthers can't franchise tag him and he will be a UFA after this season if he doesn't sign an extension. Niners could trade for him, do an extension they can't afford, and then trade him in the offseason. There will be no shortage of suitors.
- Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings. He's three years older than Burns and Young, and in last year of a deal that prohibits him from being franchised tagged. His best sack years have been at DE, but he's now playing OLB. I'd bet he'd love to go back to DE and pump up his sack numbers for his free agent year without a franchise tag.
All three of them could be rental DEs the Niners can absolutely afford right now, and one could possibly be signed and turned into a trade chip that would likely net at least a 1st rd pick.