Grading the Moves by MidWestDynasty

Now that a good amount of time has passed since the start of free agency, I think now is a great time to grade the moves the 49ers have made. Please note I intend to grade what I see as the more important moves.  So here we go.

TRENT WILLIAMS 

Bringing back Williams ensures that the 49ers will have a viable blindside protector for Jimmy Garoppolo for the foreseeable future.  And on the surface, the deal looks like a good one for both sides.

But should the 49ers have given Williams a six-year deal that makes him the richest offensive tackle in the league?  He's 33 and considerable injury history.  Williams has said he wants to play into his late thirties or early forties, but how realistic is that goal given that he has not played in a full season since 2013?  And while the 49ers make not have acquired someone of his caliber, the team could have drafted a viable replacement in what looks to be a good draft for offensive tackles and paid a lot less.

I said before free agency that the 49ers should not give Williams anything longer than a four-year deal or make him the richest NFL OT, and I maintain said stance.  The reasoning behind the contract makes sense, but this has the makings of another bad and expensive contract the 49ers have given out.

GRADE:  C+

KYLE JUSZCZKY

The FB position is a dying breed in today's NFL, so it may not seem like a good idea to dole out another big contract to Kyle Juszczky.  

But Juszczky is easily the best at his position.  He is an able blocker in the run or passing game, can pound the rock on the ground, and open up the offense as a capable pass-catcher who can make defense pay if they leave him unattended.

Granted, he will be 34 if he plays through his entire contract and Kyle Shanahan needs to utilize him more, but there is probably not a better fit for the 49ers than Juszczky.

GRADE:  A-

RESTRUCTURE OF WESTON RICHBURG CONTRACT

This was the right move for all involved.  Sadly, Richburg has not been able to live up to his contract due to one unfortunate injury after another, and word has it that he will most likely retire.  Meanwhile, the 49ers gained some much-needed cap space to be able to address other needs in free agency.

GRADE:  A+

JASON VERRETT

Jason Verrett is a tough one to grade.  Sure Verret reportedly took a one-year deal when he has a more profitable multi-year deal offered to him from elsewhere, and he easily makes the 49ers secondary better when he is on the field.

And therein lies the rub.

When Verrett was on the field, his ability to play man and zone coverage was a huge boon.  However, his injury history is nothing to be as excited about because he has yet to play full slate of games in his career.  Verrett has only played in over 10 games twice, with one being last year.

Will lightning or the injury bug strike again for Verrett?  That, my fellow fans, is the $5 million dollar question.

GRADE:  B

SAMSON EBUKAM

This was an interesting signing because Ebukam is probably expected to take over for Hyder, who will most likely not be returning to the 49ers.  

So what does Ebukam bring to the table?  Good question!  I am glad you asked that.  And if you didn't, then just pretend you did.

Kyle Posey of ninersnation.com wrote an article that included a comparison between now Seahawk Kerry Hyder and Samson Ebukam.

Kerry Hyder

QB Sack Rate:  2.9%

QB Knockdown:  2.3%

QB Pressure Rate:  12.6%

Samson Ebukam

QB Sack Rate:  2.9%

QB Knockdown:  1.9%

QB Pressure Rate:  14.7%

Those numbers are surprisingly close, so imagine what Ebukam could do under 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, who has a knack for bringing more out of the players he coaches.

I will admit that I did not see the reasoning behind Ebukam's signing, but as I have gathered more information about him, I feel like he could end up being an upgrade over Hyder and potentially the best deal for the 49ers in this free agency period.

GRADE:  A-

ALEX MACK

I like this signing because Mack is a definite fit for Shanahan's offense and brings an immediate and necessary upgrade over what the 49ers had in 2020 in terms of skill set and health.

But the same questions that applied to Trent Williams in regards to his age and how much he has left in the tank apply to Mack as well and even more so given he is 35.  

But unlike Williams, Mack could easily be a one or two-year rental the 49ers can move on from if need be.  Just as long as they find or groom his replacement.

GRADE:  B+

EMMANUEL MOSELEY

One of the first things the 49ers did before free agency began was sign restricted free agent Moseley to a two-year deal.  While signing him gives the 49ers a decent starter opposite of Verrett, I think a solid argument could be made that could have done more at the position.  

Mosley has been a good but not great CB for the 49ers secondary, and some even thought he would be moved to NCB.  And while Moseley's signing does not necessarily preclude the team from drafting a starting CB in the draft, I wouldn't bank on it given how much priority the team has given to the secondary in the past aside from resigning Jimmie Ward last season and bringing in Richard Sherman for a three-year stint.  What's worse is Moseley could easily become the #1 CB if Verrett's injury history rears its ugly head during the season.  Not a comforting thought in the least bit.

GRADE:  C-

K'WANN WILLIAMS

While Williams has never started an entire season, he had started more than 13 games in a season until last year, when he only started in eight of them.  And when he has, he is considered one of the best at his position.  His market was probably weak due to him missing eight games, which is probably why Williams re-upped with the 49ers.  Their gain.

GRADE:  B+

SS JAQUISKI TARTT

Tartt could easily be considered the most underrated starter for the secondary of the 49ers for the past three years.  When he is on the field, Tartt and Ward create one of the better safety tandems in the NFC West, if not the conference.  

But that has been the issue for Tartt; he has not been able to stay on the field.  This is why the 49ers appear ready to move forward with Tavarius Moore as the starter going forward.  

Bringing Tartt back most likely doesn't change that plan, but it does provide a safety net in case Moore falters.

GRADE:  B

RESTRUCTURING CONTRACT OF DEE FORD

This was something that needed to happen.  

Since being traded to and signing with the 49ers in 2019, Ford has failed to start in half of the games due to one injury or another, with the most persistent being related to his back.  There was no way the team could justify continuing to pay Ford what they were, but it also could not afford the guaranteed money he would have been owed if he could not pass a physical and was still on the roster on April 1.  

With the contract restructure, the 49ers will avoid a Jacoby Ellsbury/New York Yankees situation and keep hold of a player who has shown to be a difference-maker when he is healthy.  The only question is whether Ford will get healthy enough to be a contributor on the defense once again.

GRADE:  A-

CONCLUSION

While there were a couple of moves I think the 49ers should and should not have done, I cannot argue against the fact that the 49ers have improved their offensive, which was an absolute must for the team.  I also like the signing of Ebukam, as his numbers indicate he could be equal to or an upgrade over Hyder.

What I am not a fan of is Trent Williams' contract.  I believe it is too long and expensive to the point that it will end up becoming an albatross for the 49ers, especially given how injury-prone Williams has been during his career.

I also wanted to see the 49ers invest a little more at the cornerback position instead of just bringing back Verrett and Moseley.

However, the 49ers appear to have done enough so they can be able to contend in the NFC West.

And what about the Super Bowl, some of you might ask?

That will depend on how healthy the team is during the season.

OVERALL GRADE:  A-