49ers players got paid last week, but two players were deemed overpays
Free agency has slowed down to a crawl in its second week, which gives time to reflect on the first wave of signings, their value, and long-term effects. While the 49ers have addressed their special teams unit with a few signings for the offense, a bevy of former 49ers got paid. Whether it was the 49ers who departed this offseason or in the past, the bank was open for teams looking to capture some of the 49ers roster construction magic.
Two former 49ers were listed as “overpays” by Pro Football Focus.
Each player played in the trenches with one on each side of the ball. Javon Kinlaw signed a lucrative three-year deal worth 45 million and 30 million guaranteed with his old buddy Adam Peters in Washington. Aaron Banks joined Matt LaFleur in Green Bay after signing a four-year deal worth 65 million with 37.5 million guaranteed.
Let’s start with Kinlaw, who finished with a 53.4 overall PFF grade and 0.11 PFF WAR. PFF graded the deal as “below average.”
After four disappointing years with the 49ers, Kinlaw had the best season of his career with the Jets. The former first-round pick’s 68.2 PFF pass-rush grade was a top-30 mark in the league, and he posted a career-high 4.5 sacks. Still, this feels like an overpay by the Commanders, considering he’s now one of the 20 highest-paid defensive tackles despite never earning a 60.0 PFF grade in any of his five seasons.
Kinlaw has maintained his health following his stint with the 49ers, but the deal points to Adam Peters being the person who banged the table for Kinlaw in the NFL draft.
Aaron Banks was expected to depart, given the 49ers’ hesitance to allocate big money to the guard position.
Banks finished with a 65.4 overall PFF grade and 0.08 PFF WAR. The extension with Green Bay was also graded “below average.”
The good news with this deal is that Banks is coming off a career-high 65.4 PFF overall grade in 2024 and has developed throughout his NFL career. However, a deal that makes him the sixth-highest-paid guard in football is very rich. The Packers are betting on his continued development.
The Packers will need to see substantial growth to justify this contract. Perhaps they are betting on their coaching staff to get the best out of Banks. Offensive linemen are at a premium in the NFL and usually get paid higher due to supply and demand. Good luck, Green Bay.