The San Francisco 49ers have Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati hitting free agency this offseason and they may not return in 2015 and this comes as Darnell Dockett could be a potential target, as the team may lose Justin Smith to retirement and Ahmad Brooks to the salary cap as Jim Tomsula takes over for Jim Harbaugh.
The Niners missed the playoffs for the first time in four years this past season and they finished 8-8, which led to general manager Trent Baalke moving on from Harbaugh. According to Pro Football Talk, Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports that Dockett is meeting with the team on Monday night about possibly signing in San Francisco. The Cardinals released Dockett and "left the door open" about his return and they are allowing him to test the market.
The Niners defense was strong last season, but with a high number of free agents, the team could be looking to depth on the market. Dockett is coming off of an ACL surgery and that could affect his market value as a free agent. The Cardinals did not want to pay him near $7 million for this season and that is why they released him and if he doesn't sign with the Niners, he could end up back in Arizona. The 33 year old has been very productive in his career and 2014 was his first year missing significant time with an injury.
Dockett missed just one game in the previous four seasons and over that span he had 20 sacks for the Cardinals. The Cardinals signed a new deal with Larry Fitzgerald and that could give the team enough cap space to sign back Dockett if they choose. Justin Smith is under contract next season, but Maiocco writes that he may retire over coming back for another year with the 49ers, which would leave a void on the defensive line. Smith played in 16 games last season and had five sacks to go along with 43 total tackles and he could end up retiring this offseason at 35 years old.
Maiocco wrote earlier in the offseason that Gore could be a potential target for the Redskins, as the team hired Scot McCloughan to take over at general manager. McCloughan drafted Gore when he was in San Francisco and could look at him as a solid backup for Alfred Morris. Gore is reportedly asking for $4 million per season, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports and that could price him out of San Fran. Gore rushed for over 1100 yards last season and general manager Trent Baalke said he wants Gore back, but it could end up coming down to money.
Crabtree and Iupati are both hitting the market and La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that the team could also look at cutting Ahmad Brooks or Vernon Davis. Davis had a down season while dealing with injuries, while Brooks could be let go as a salary cap casualty. Iupati and Crabtree should get some attention on the market, including from a team like the Redskins.
