The San Francisco 49ers aren’t anticipated to have a significant free-agent offseason, which makes some sense considering that they finished as the top team in the NFL in 2023 and have highly compensated players at almost every important position save quarterback (Breck Purdy is still in his rookie contract).
When NFL free agency begins, the 49ers will have some crucial choices to make, but they should also be able to cover certain gaps with inexpensive moves. Depth on the offensive line is one weakness, and bringing in versatile Raiders tackle Jermaine Eluemunor might fill that need.
That’s the recommendation from Bleacher Report, which highlighted possible changes clubs may make in the upcoming months as they looked ahead to NFL free agency. That meant giving Eluemunor, a fifth-round selection of the Ravens in 2017 who bounced to the Patriots before agreeing to three successive one-year contracts with the Raiders, a chance for the 49ers.
The 49ers haven’t had enough depth on the offensive line this year, so if Eluemunor is available for a low price, he may be a good buy.
You Could Get Jermaine Eluemunor for Cheap
The following is how Bleacher Report staff members view the 49ers’ possible addition:
“They don’t need many offensive linemen other than Trent Williams and don’t have many big upcoming free agents. For the previous two seasons, Jermaine Eluemunor has been a reliable right edge starter for the Raiders.
“He also has guard expertise, having played the position during his rookie year in Las Vegas and his early career in Baltimore and New England. The 29-year-old fits very well in San Francisco because of this and the fact that his salary is under $3 million this year. He ought to be a reasonably priced fix for one of its main issues.”
Eluemunor has just finished a season that was rather unpredictable from first but eventually improved. Eluemunor was credited with five combined sacks allowed in Weeks 3 and 4, when the Raiders played the Steelers and Chargers. In both weeks, his Pro Football Focus grade was below 50.0. However, he bounced back from that and didn’t allow a sack again for 13 weeks, until Week 18. With six sacks allowed and a superb PFF rating of 68.5, he concluded the season.
49ers May Reorganize Their OL in NFL Free Agency
The 49ers may easily reorganize their offensive line in NFL free agency. The 49ers may need assistance with their interior linemen, as left guard Aaron Banks and right guard Spencer Burford have been weak points. Backup John Feliciano is a free agent after the season.
Burford and Banks are still in their rookie contracts. Among 81 guards, Banks is 54th with a PFF of 54.9, while Burford is ranked 66th with a PFF of 50.4. Neither player has performed particularly well.
However, the 49ers offensive line has performed admirably overall. It ranks first in the NFL at run blocking (82.6) but only 26th for pass blocking (54.0) according to PFF. When Banks and Burford return the next season with greater experience, that may improve.
Depth is still essential. Eluemunor might supply that as well.