49ers mailbag: Faithful has questions before free agency’s answers

SANTA CLARA — Free agency brings wild dreams and a fresh batch of social media questions that tie into the following 49ers mailbag:

How can the Niners get Mad Maxx and not give up everything? (@Dan_Walker22)

History also worked against the 49ers besides Maxx Crosby’s exorbitant price, which the Raiders got in first-round draft picks the next two years from the Baltimore Ravens. The 49ers, from what I’ve researched, have never traded for a player from the Raiders, who did acquire Cedrick Hardman from the Niners’ defensive line in 1980; also, a 2021 trade involved second-round draft positioning.

What position do you think the 49ers value highest in this free agency class? (@n23hall)

Value is a wonderful word yet rarely associated with free agency, where castoffs can capitalize on the NFL’s ever-increasing salary cap ($301 million, up $22 million from last year). Talks commence Monday, and contracts ratified on Wednesday.

The 49ers need wide receivers and linemen, positions that don’t come cheap for proven, starting-caliber veterans. So if they wait until the draft for them, look for them to bargain shop for under-30 players at cornerback, safety, tight end and, yes, even receivers or linemen banking on a championship run to yield greater fortune in 2027.

With Kyle Pitts getting franchise tagged by ATL, who would be the next logical pick up at TE for the Niners? Would they gamble with a free-agent TE like Njoku or Likely? Would they draft a TE? Do the Niners think Kittle could potentially be ready for the start of the year? (@ShamKenneth)

The market is flooded with tight ends. You’ve got the big names: Travis Kelce, Dallas Goedert, David Njoku and Isaiah Likely. You’ve got Brock Purdy’s Iowa State teammate, Charlie Kolar. And you’ve got Stanford greybeards Zach Ertz and Austin Hooper. But the 49ers also have Jake Tonges (a restricted free agent due a tender by Wednesday), and Kittle is striving for an early-season return, though an opener in Australia could put too much strain on his and others’ comebacks.

The Niners need wide receivers. Do they take a look at Stefon Diggs with his personal issues? (@thewholelot)

Not a great sign he’s onto his fourth team in as many years, and he’s 32. He’s also a perennial 1,000-yard receiver. A year ago, the 49ers signed Demarcus Robinson despite knowing he’d draw a three-game suspension for a drunken-driving arrest.

Will they do anything or is their biggest move gonna be Luke Farrell like last year? (@TPot8toe)

Farrell backfired as their top acquisition, but the 49ers perennially love to hang their hat on a big offseason move, and they can make a fair argument that last year’s money plays went toward extending Brock Purdy, Fred Warner and Kittle. I’d anticipate a headline-worthy move in the next week.

Trent better give a hometown discount because the 49ers gave him three contracts already. (@p.oliva510)

Ha ha, no chance. Trent Williams is the savviest businessman with the best leverage of anyone who has ever suited up for the 49ers. He arrived in a 2020 trade, tested free agency in 2021 for his first 49ers-issued contract, then renegotiated on the eve of the 2024 season. This is his third contract battle with the 49ers, and he should get extended another year or two. A $10 million bonus is due March 20, so this could be resolved by then rather than dragging through the summer.

On a scale of 1-10, how disappointed will the Faithful be after free agency and the draft? (@MichaelGeo2213)

The over/under bar is 7. Can’t please everybody, but five playoff trips in the past seven years equals equity for this regime.

Which free agent RB do you see the 49ers target as backup to CMC? Or do you think they are happy with James as the No. 2 RB? (@SFG_soccer)

Jordan James was largely ignored until the end of his rookie season, while Brian Robinson saw minimal action as Christian McCaffrey’s backup. Isaac Guerendo got no offensive touches or even a snap. The recommendation: Spend money elsewhere in free agency, use the draft or afterward to add two running backs to compete with James.

Can we expect the 49ers to sign a mid-level WR and a budget LG to compete with Day 1 and Day 2 draft picks at the same positions? (@Invader49er)

I endorse this message.

Are the Niners and John Lynch focusing on guys with “good character” as he said numerous times, hurting us in the draft? (@DukeLacrosse5)

This isn’t the 1970s NFL. Reckless, bullying, chaos-sparking players don’t fit into today’s NFL softness. Character is important, but so are talent, work ethic, system fit, brains and braun.

Why does John Lynch still have a job? (@Here_We_Go_49)

Look at that roster juggling he and his staff (and the 49ers’ coaches) pulled off last season to vie for the No. 1 seed into Week 18 and eventually reach the NFC divisional round. He has made for an ideal pairing with Kyle Shanahan and a congenial, thoughtful general manager, which is a job that goes far beyond picking players.

Do you think Deebo would be a good addition? (@kamkameronkan)

No. Been there, done that, and ditched that a year ago for good reason. He’s five years removed from All-Pro wide-back stardom.

Will the Niners spend like big boys and sign Hendrickson, Linderbaum and JFM? (@thejerryhsu)

Big boys? They bring in that trio and they’ll become the bankrupt boys. Overspending in free agency isn’t just ill-advised; it’s not the norm of this regime, aside from a 2019 trade-and-sign for Dee Ford, a 2023 gamble on repeat Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave and successful signings of Richard Sherman (2018) and Charvarius Ward (2021), who made the Pro Bowl in their second seasons.

The 49ers certainly could use — and afford — center Tyler Linderbaum (Ravens) and defensive ends Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) and John Franklin-Myers (Broncos). Any of the trio would work. All of the trio is a capologist’s nightmare.

Will the 49ers draft wide receiver KC (Concepcion)? (@kylelopez2273). Should the 49ers draft a receiver or offensive lineman in the first round? (@bang49design)

Let’s table the draft questions for April, please. Please. Please.

Why does everybody keep guessing what the 49ers are going to do???? We need facts and only facts. (@DaveEdBear)

Amen. Guess we’ll have to wait and see what they get done.