The San Francisco 49ers have some major free agents with Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati hitting the market for Colin Kaepernick and new head coach Jim Tomsula and this comes as the team could release Vernon Davis or Ahmad Brooks, and if that happens, some of those players likely will be targets for the Washington Redskins, as former Niners exec Scot McCloughan has taken over as general manager.
The 49ers have some big free agent names hitting the market, as players like Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati are done with their contracts. The team also may make some cuts to the roster to help with the salary cap and Pro Football Talk reports that players like Vernon Davis and Ahmad Brooks could be on the chopping block. Tomsula knows that the defense was strong last season and the focus will likely be on offense this offseason. The team could give Carlos Hyde the chance to step up if Gore leaves, while Bruce Ellington also could have a bigger role.
Gore had over 1000 yards again last season, but he could be on his way out for Colin Kaepernick and that will put extra pressure on Hyde in year two. The team ranked fourth in the league in rushing yards per game last season and 30th in passing yards per game, meaning Tomsula has some work to do with someone new like Lane Kiffin coming in to potentially run the offense.
Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area suggests that the Redskins could be the biggest target for the 49ers free agents, as they have a connection to former 49ers exec Scot McCloughan. Gore is the one to watch of the group, as McCloughan drafted him and has given him high praise over the years. Gore is seemingly a good fit for the Redskins, as they have worked Alfred Morris very hard over the past couple years and could use a backup that is more of a runner, rather than a Roy Helu type player.
Jim Tomsula comes in as head coach and he has some major shows to fill, as Jim Harbaugh took the team to the playoffs in three of his four seasons as head coach. Harbaugh and the Niners front office did not see eye to eye enough and that is one of the main reasons why he is gone. Harbaugh was wildly successful in his time in San Fran, as he took a team that was terrible for a decade to three straight NFC championship games and one Super Bowl.
Harbaugh is considered a great coach but a bit rough around the edges and that was something the front office did not like. Tomsula now comes in and he replaces Harbaugh after Jim led the team to 44 wins in four years in the Bay Area. The Niners have some major issues heading into 2015, as Colin Kaepernick took a step back this season and the offense was not productive enough. The defensive unit was strong again despite dealing with injuries, but the biggest question will be with the quarterback.
