The San Francisco 49ers have some big free agents in 2015, as names like Michael Crabtree, Frank Gore, Mike Iupati and Brandon Lloyd are hitting the market and with Vernon Davis possibly released with Ahmad Brooks, those players could be targets for the Oakland Raiders or Washington Redskins and could be significant losses for the Niners.
The Niners come into the 2015 season with major changes on the way, as they have a new head coach and coaching staff after Jim Harbaugh parted ways with the team. According to ESPN.com, Jim Tomsula takes over for Harbaugh after being promoted from defensive line coach and the front office said after the hire that they wanted "continuity" with the next coach. Harbaugh and the front office butted heads numerous times over the past few years with player personnel decisions and game issues and now Harbaugh is with Michigan. Harbaugh left some big shoes to fill though and now Tomsula takes over after the Niners went to the playoffs in three of the four seasons under Harbaugh.
Harbaugh won 44 games in four seasons with the Niners, but after going 8-8 this year and missing the playoffs, they felt it was time to move on. Harbaugh took the team to one Super Bowl and took them out of a decade of mediocrity and he also helped bring in Colin Kaepernick, who is now the starting quarterback. Kaepernick did not have as good of a season as the previous year and now it will be up to Tomsula to stop the regression.
The Niners offense could look very different next year, as they have some significant free agents hitting the market that could leave. Gore is the most likely to go, as the team has a replacement in waiting in Carlos Hyde, while Crabtree also could sign elsewhere. The team has a major player in Iupati hitting the market, as he is one of the top lineman in the league. Iupati and Gore could be potential options for the Raiders and Redskins, as both teams need improvement at running back and on the offensive line.
According to CSN Bay Area, Gore is likely going to be a major target for the Redskins, as they need a solid backup for Alfred Morris and he has connections to new general manager Scot McCloughan. Matt Maiocco writes that McCloughan has very high praise for Gore and that he was the one who drafted him in San Francisco and he would not be surprised to see the Redskins sign him. Gore could be a compliment to Alfred Morris, who has been worked hard over the past two seasons in Washington.
Last season Gore had another strong season, rushing for over 1106 yards, making it four straight seasons of at least 1000 yards for the back. Gore has been as consistent as anyone in the league during his career and in the past four years he has not missed a single game. According to ESPN.com, Vernon Davis and Ahmad Brooks could be salary cap casualties this offseason, as both are coming off of disappointing years. Crabtree also could be allowed to walk, as he is coming in after making 68 catches for 698 yards, a major drop-off from his best season two years ago when he had over 80 catches and 1100 yards.