Maybe a better question is which free agent would you least like to see leave?
As the 49ers head into the offseason, they have many pending free agents, both unrestricted and restricted, but five starters are scheduled to hit the market in 2025. Aaron Banks, Charvarius Ward, Javon Hargrave (likely voided deal), Talanoa Hufanga, and Dre Greenlaw are in line for an extension or payday from another team.
Which 49er free agent is the most valuable? Which player can the 49ers least afford to lose to another team?
Pro Football Focus released an article about one 2025 free agent each NFL team can’t afford to lose. Names like WR Tee Higgins in Cincinnati, WR Chris Godwin in Tampa Bay, and Safety Jevon Holland in Miami are on the list. Funny enough, Denver’s choice was our old friend DT D.J. Jones.
Of the five 49ers starters, PFF named Greenlaw as the one free agent San Francisco can’t lose.
Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus explained his reasoning: “Re-signing Greenlaw comes with inherent risk, given the multitude of injuries he’s dealt with over the past 12 months. He’s a vital part of the 49ers’ run defense, though, and his absence was a big reason for the team ranking 28th in PFF run-defense grade this season. Surely, San Francisco will spend some of its resources improving the defensive line, as well, but Greenlaw’s presence would give the team some peace of mind on that side of the ball.”
Recovering from an Achilles injury in the Super Bowl was an uphill battle for Greenlaw, and his return was cut short after two games and 34 snaps in 2024.
However, Greenlaw’s return in Week 15 coincided with possibly the 49ers’ best defensive performance of 2024. With only 30 snaps, Greenlaw’s energy was infectious as the linebacker piled up seven tackles and four defensive stops. The 49ers defense held the Rams to four field goals on Thursday Night Football.
Any questions about Greenlaw and his explosion and burst following his Achilles injury were answered with his play against the Rams. Finishing the game with an 87.6 defensive grade and 81.8 run defense grade confirmed what was on tape. The impact of Greenlaw was tangible.
Matt Maiocco speculated on KNBR that Greenlaw could be in line for a one-year, prove-it deal before returning to free agency.
“I think he’s gonna be back… My guess would be Dre Greenlaw comes back to the 49ers on probably a one year kind of prove it deal.”
Matt Maiocco doesn’t see Dre Greenlaw wearing another uniform next year.
(via @knbrmurph & @MarkusBoucher) pic.twitter.com/cosJAzifYE
— KNBR (@KNBR) January 9, 2025
The word is out on Greenlaw. The league regards him as a top-flight linebacker, but the questions about his injury history are the only issue for teams who will have to pay for his services.
Will the two sides come to an agreement when free agency opens? Replacing Greenlaw will be an almost impossible task for the 49ers.