The 49ers approach a significant offseason in a decent position in terms of the salary cap as they aim to build on a largely encouraging 2025.
San Francisco, per Over The Cap, is projected to have $41.2 million in cap space, the 11th-most in the NFL. In other words, they have some room to make a couple of significant signings that could have a substantial impact on the roster.
But any splashes on the open market will need to be complemented by some astute low-risk acquisitions. Often, it is the moves on the margins that have an outsized influence on a team’s fortunes, and there is a player very familiar to the 49ers’ quarterback who could intrigue San Francisco as a low-cost, high-reward free agency signing.
The 49ers, with George Kittle suffering a torn Achilles in their wild-card playoff round win over the Philadelphia Eagles in January, have a clear need to add to their options at tight end, especially with Luke Farrell having largely underwhelmed after signing a three-year deal last offseason.
One potential dream signing has already come off the market with the unsurprising news that the Atlanta Falcons plan to franchise tag Kyle Pitts.
Pitts being allowed to get to the market always seemed unlikely, but there is still good depth to the tight end free agent class.
David Njoku, Isaiah Likely, Chig Okonkwo, Cade Otton and Dallas Goedert all have appeal as potential veteran stand-ins/complements for Kittle. However, if the 49ers want to focus the bulk of their resources on other positions, then they could consider taking a shot on a tight end who is far less proven but who may prove to be a free agency steal.
Charlie Kolar could be worth a low-risk swing from the 49ers
Charlie Kolar is set to hit unrestricted free agency after four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, during which time he has established himself as a consistently strong run blocker.
Ranked 69th in NFL.com’s Top 101 free agents, the intrigue with Kolar is what is seen as untapped upside as a pass-catcher.
That Kolar’s tallies of 15 targets and 10 catches last season were both career-highs speaks to his lack of involvement in the passing game in his time in Baltimore. In that small sample size, however, he was very efficient and effective, with nine of his receptions earning first-down yardage and two going for touchdowns. His 142 receiving yards were a career-high.
Those numbers suggest Kolar would flourish with greater involvement as a receiver. At 6’6” and with a wingspan over 81 inches, he is a huge target, and one who already has a prior connection with Brock Purdy. Kolar was drafted three rounds before Purdy in 2022, the pair having played four seasons together at Iowa State.
Kolar caught 20 touchdowns across his final three seasons with Purdy as the starting quarterback, and they would each surely relish the chance to re-establish their collegiate rapport.
With Spotrac projecting Kolar’s market value to be $1.7 million per year, he could be available for a very reasonable price.
Still, after four years of not starting for the Ravens, Kolar being the sole acquisition at the tight end spot with Kittle on the sideline to begin the year would be viewed as a risk by the 49ers.
As such, signing Kolar could be a move the 49ers make while also adding an heir apparent for Kittle via the draft. San Francisco is also likely to retain Jake Tonges via restricted free agency after he caught five touchdowns last season, but a logjam created by adding multiple tight ends this offseason could be fixed by parting with Farrell. San Francisco can save $2.43 million against the cap by releasing Farrell as a post-June 1 cut.
The 49ers have needed another tight end who can be an effective blocker and pass-catcher behind Kittle for several seasons. It has been a struggle to find one, with the investment in Farrell looking ill-judged after he performed poorly in both aspects last season.
Kolar won’t be high on many people’s lists of potential candidates to address that issue this offseason. However, he comes with a high floor as a run blocker, while the flashes as a receiver have been enough to suggest he is worthy of a swing at the right price. With the Iowa State to Iowa connection severed until Kittle returns from his injury, the possibility of reuniting Purdy with his old friend should intrigue the 49er front office.