The 49ers have been one of the biggest spenders in free agency this month.
San Francisco has invested in players such as edge rusher Dee Ford (whom they acquired in a trade, and then gave an extended deal), linebacker Kwon Alexander, wide receiver Jordan Matthews, running back Tevin Coleman and cornerback Jason Verrett.
So, are the 49ers now cash-strapped?
Hardly. General manager John Lynch still has plenty of money under the salary cap to make more deals. In fact, according to Grant Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, the 49ers – who began the free-agent shopping spree with about $65 million in salary-cap space – still have more than $37 million available.
As Cohn suggests, that means 49ers still have the means to go after more free-agent help at positions of need (secondary, linebacker, wide receiver, etc.) as well as invest in players already on the roster they’d like to keep around a while (such as defensive tackle DeForest Buckner).
Their action during this free-agency period also gives the Niners flexibility in the NFL draft that begins April 25.
Though the 49ers are likely to select one of two highly touted defensive ends with the No. 2 pick – Ohio State’s Nick Bosa or Kentucky’s Josh Allen – Lynch says their additions of the past couple of weeks give the team the leeway to be more creative.
Sports
Lynch, who was in Ohio Wednesday to interview Bosa (considered by many the best prospect in the draft), told the media the 49ers now have the flexibility “to just focus on going out and getting the best player available, particularly with that top spot, regardless of the position.”
The 49ers also can use much of the remaining space under the salary cap to roll over into 2020, putting them in a good position to make more moves next year, too.
