NFL San Francisco 49ers

5 Free Agents San Francisco 49ers Should Target In 2015

5 Free Agents San Francisco Should Target In 2015

Brian Hoyer Cleveland Browns
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

It has been a disappointing season for the San Francisco 49ers. With changes on the horizon, the 2015 offseason will mark a turning point for this team, for better or for worse. The right moves in free agency and the draft could put the 49ers back into the NFL’s elite ranks. Here are five free agents the 49ers should think about signing.

5. Dan Connolly

Dan Connolly New England Patriots
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

5. Dan Connolly

Dan Connolly New England Patriots
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The reason the 49ers have been the NFL’s second-worst passing team is rooted in the offensive line. Only two quarterbacks have been sacked as many times as Colin Kaepernick, and while injuries in the trenches are partially to blame, it’s clear the ‘Niners need to turn a new leaf. Signing Connolly, who can play both guard and center, would be huge for San Francisco.

4. Charles Tillman

Charles Tillman Chicago Bears
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

4. Charles Tillman

Charles Tillman Chicago Bears
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Tillman’s 2014 season was cut short in Week 3 due to a torn triceps, and the general belief is that the Chicago Bears will let the 34-year-old go. With corners Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox about to hit free agency this offseason, it would be wise for the 49ers to think about Tillman in the event that one or both of those guys departs. Tillman would come at a bargain-basement price, allowing the team to spend more money at other positions.

3. Randall Cobb

Randall Cobb Green Bay Packers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

3. Randall Cobb

Randall Cobb Green Bay Packers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Imagine Cobb in a 49ers jersey; looks pretty natural, right? Plucking Cobb from the Green Bay Packers would alter the landscape of the entire NFC in favor of the 49ers. Having Cobb to play alongside Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree (assuming they re-sign Crab) would inject new life into an aerial attack that has been one of the league’s worst this season. The team would likely have to part ways with Brandon Lloyd, but it would be worth it.

2. Jason Pierre-Paul

Jason Pierre-Paul New York Giants
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jason Pierre-Paul

Jason Pierre-Paul New York Giants
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

With Justin Smith finishing up his 14th season, it’s time to start thinking about another pass rusher. You can bet that Jason Pierre-Paul would love to be a part of that fierce front seven of the 49ers’; the thought of playing opposite Aldon Smith alone might entice him to sign.

1. Brian Hoyer

Brian Hoyer Cleveland Browns
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

1. Brian Hoyer

Brian Hoyer Cleveland Browns
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Colin Kaepernick rose with Jon Harbaugh, and he could fall with his head coach as well. A new coach may prefer to pair the 49ers’ elite defense with a more dependable pocket passer like Hoyer instead of the run-and-gun style of Kaepernick. Hoyer started to struggle when the Browns’ defense couldn’t stop the run—that wouldn’t be an issue in San Fran. Even if Kaep sticks around, Hoyer would be a better backup option than Blaine Gabbert.

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