By: Jake Rajala

The San Francisco 49ers outperformed expectations in 2021 as they snuck into the playoffs from the heroics of Jimmy Garopollo and Ambry Thomas. The genius Kyle Shanahan led his team to upset wins against the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers in the postseason.

Unfortunately, the universe and Cooper Kupp handed the 49ers a loss in the NFC championship. The 49ers will look to seek revenge in 2022 with Jimmy G Trey Lance and the rest of the blood-thirsty 49ers roster (cough, cough, Nick Bosa).

The 49ers will surely look to bolster their talent this offseason in free agency. The question is: which faces will be on Shanny’s radar this offseason? Well, here are a few available faces that would make a ton of sense.

• Patrick Peterson

The former All-Pro Arizona Cardinal Patrick Peterson could head back to the NFC West and join the CB needy 49ers. The Jason Verrett experiment was over when the 49ers signed him. Verrett played in one game in 2019 and one game in 2021.

Peterson could really help the 49ers combat Cooper Kupp, DeAndre Hopkins, and DK Metcalf. The young CB Ambry Thomas has the potential to be a quality starting CB in the NFL, but the 49ers need a proven, quality contributor at the vital CB position in the near future. PP can be the physical CB they need on the playoff stage.

• Gerald Everett

The 49ers once tried to add Jordan Reed as the number two TE and they somewhat resurrected him, as he recorded four touchdowns in 10 games with them. The 49ers should look at adding a talented TE2 with George Kittle once again.

Gerald Everett would be an interesting fit in the Bay area. The former Ram and current Seahawk had a career-high 478 receiving yards and career-high 4 touchdowns last season. The second-year QB Lance would benefit from Everett in the short passing game and the impressive 49ers play-action game could even improve from the NFC West TE.

George Kittle has also missed 11 games in the past two seasons combined. It may be wise to have a talented backup TE that can step up to the plate when Kittle likely faces more minor setbacks.

• Marcus Mariota

Shanahan will rightfully hand the keys of the Ferrari to Lance, but he’s still not a proven starting QB in the NFL. There’s a slight risk that Lance isn’t the best option to start for the 49ers at a point in the near future. Justin Fields and Zach Wilson faced their fair share of obstacles in 2021 and they weren’t able to hold the starting gig last season. Tua Tagovailoa was often replaced for Ryan Fitzpatrick in his rookie season, as well.

It may be wise for the 49ers to add a veteran QB with starting experience this offseason. Marcus Mariota would be an ideal target for Shanny, as he holds a similar skillset as Lance and they both could run very similar playbooks under the 49ers bright play-caller. Mariota is also 27 years old and it’s possible that he turns around his career in the 49ers scheme and holds down the 49ers starting gig for a long span in 2022 and beyond.

Shanahan was in love with Andy Dalton in the last offseason and he wasn’t happy when he signed with the Bears. The Red Rifle could also potentially be the QB the 49ers target to replace Jimmy G and join Lance. Mariota undoubtedly has more athletic ability than Dalton and Mariota is seven years younger, so I expect Shanahan to be more attracted to the former Heisman winner and Hawaii native in 2022. Although, it’s unclear if Mariota will prefer a destination that gives him a better opportunity to start like the Pittsburgh Steelers or Washington Commanders.

The post 3 key free agent targets for the San Francisco 49ers appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tayyib Abu

Gerald Everett is a free agent this offseason. The big tight-end can test the market for the first time in his career. The number two man behind Tyler Higbee can now see if a team wants to promote him to starting tight-end. Higbee is now an experienced player in the NFL. He experienced the best season of his short career in 2020. The NFL is utilizing tight-ends much more in a multi-faceted role.

Everett is a strong catcher with good acceleration. He excels at running in-breaking routes and is a player developing quickly. As Everett broke out in Los Angeles, he probably caught the eye of several teams. Some teams need big, physical tight-ends who add a new element to their offense; Gerald Everett could be the next player to shine at the position. His on-the-cap valuation is around $7 million; he is very affordable. Its time to examine which teams could want to bring him in before the 2021 season.

Carolina Panthers

It is almost sure that the Carolina Panthers will start a new quarterback this fall. Carolina wanted Matthew Stafford from Detroit; they narrowly missed out but, the Panthers are still looking. Carolina is definitely in the mix for Deshaun Watson, or the team could draft a quarterback.

All quarterbacks require a safety blanket tight-end. Everett was that for Jared Goff; he can be that for the next guy in Carolina. The Panthers’ tight-end cupboard is bare. Ian Thomas is a place holder, and he isn’t a starter in the NFL. Everett posted over 400 yards receiving last season as the backup tight-end.

He would arrive in Carolina used to playing with a team that wants to run the ball. Everett saw plenty of action out of two tight-end sets in Los Angeles; he did that in both the passing and running games.

That is important for Carolina as they will want to run the ball with returning running-back Christian McCaffery. With Bridgewater or a rookie quarterback, Everett is a smart fit for what Carolina wants to do.

Everett is a strong route runner when lined up in the bunch or spread out and play like a receiver. He owns experience as a blocker form his time in LA, which is another crucial ingredient that Carolina needs.

Washington Football Team

The Football Team are another franchise that could do with a tight-end. The team battled to a 7-9 record that saw them win the NFC East. With their rivals in disarray, Washington can build on the division win by adding Everett. Scott Turner is the son of Norv Turner. He was the coordinator when Greg Olsen put up a monster season in 2015.

His son Scott will surely know how to use Everett. Washington is similar to Carolina in that they want to run the ball as much as possible. That plays into Everett’s strengths. If Alex Smith returns as the starter, that will suit Everett. Smith is a dink-and-dunk passer at this stage of his career.

Dink-and-dunk passers need good YAC receivers. Everett averaged 5.9 yards YAC in 2020, which is more than good enough for what Alex Smith wants from his playmakers. Adding Everett to a team that boasts Terry Mclaurin and Cam Sims creates more problems for defenses.

All three are excellent YAC receivers that can generate more pressure on opposing defenses. Misdirection is something Washington will do more of in 2021; Everett will play well in that type of offense. He is versatile enough to do that.

Minnesota Vikings

Unless your name is Tom Brady, Father Time will defeat you. Kyle Rudolph is slowly succumbing to that ticking clock that ends 99% of players’ careers. If Kirk Cousins is still the man in Minnesota, Mike Zimmer must get him a reliable, young tight-end. Similarly to the teams above, Minnesota wants to run the ball.

In Dalvin Cook, the Vikes possess a superstar running back. They need to open up lanes for him continually. Everett can do that alongside sophomore Irv Smith, while the team can relegate the veteran Rudolph to third on the depth chart and use him only in goal line or jumbo personnel.

Everett’s smart route running can get schemed up on heavy play-action to create open windows for Cousins. The veteran quarterback is not Matthew Stafford, who can rifle the ball in a tight window; Cousins requires available targets.

Everett has quick release at the line of scrimmage; he can beat linebackers in coverage and get to the catch point. New coordinator Clint Kubiak’s dad Gary had Owen Daniels the year Denver won the Super Bowl; Everett owns several traits that Daniels possessed. He is younger, quicker and ready to leap to the next level. He is a fantastic fit for Minnesota.

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