The 2025 Free Agency Thread

Kendrick Bourne was rated by the Patriots as a #5 or #6 receiver who at 30 wasn’t worth the cap dollars so they went younger.

This on a team with less at WR than we already have.

So, why are we interested in paying this guy anything above minimum?

He’s a replacement level player.

The 49ers have injuries everywhere so their need is visible to see.
 
Bulldog said:
Kendrick Bourne was rated by the Patriots as a #5 or #6 receiver who at 30 wasn’t worth the cap dollars so they went younger.

This on a team with less at WR than we already have.

So, why are we interested in paying this guy anything above minimum?

He’s a replacement level player.

The 49ers have injuries everywhere so their need is visible to see.
Click to expand...

Bourne made their 53 and then asked for (and received) his release from the Patriots, after they failed to trade him to MIN, just FYI. Likely because MIN successfully traded for their old buddy Adam Theilen around that time. It probably suited the Pats just fine given they have a very young WR corps on a rebuilding team, but he did make their 53.

He is absolutely a replacement level player on the outside. We don’t currently have that behind Noah Brown on the depth chart.
 
Conn said:
Bourne made their 53 and then asked for (and received) his release from the Patriots, after they failed to trade him to MIN, just FYI. Likely because MIN successfully traded for their old buddy Adam Theilen around that time. It probably suited the Pats just fine given they have a very young WR corps on a rebuilding team, but he did make their 53.

He is absolutely a replacement level player on the outside. We don’t currently have that behind Noah Brown on the depth chart.
Click to expand...
That doesnt necessarily make him a replacement player for our team. In fact, it says another that he was released and then obviously only given low level contracts from both SF and our team. To me, that speaks volumes.

In my opinion, he isn't much better than what we have 1-4 receiver options. So it doesnt bother me that he decided to wait to sign. Good luck with that. Lol.

Otherwise, hope the best for him.

HTTR!
 
skinsfan4128 said:
That doesnt necessarily make him a replacement player for our team. In fact, it says another that he was released and then obviously only given low level contracts from both SF and our team. To me, that speaks volumes.

In my opinion, he isn't much better than what we have 1-4 receiver options. So it doesnt bother me that he decided to wait to sign. Good luck with that. Lol.

Otherwise, hope the best for him.

HTTR!
Click to expand...
I disagree, for the moment.

Our #1, #2 and #3 WRs are pretty much locked in some order with Terry, Deebo and Noah Brown.

Behind them? You have a rookie in Lane, Chris Moore and Luke McCaffery. Bourne could easily be better than any of the three of them. Though it probably would mean the end for Chris Moore, because Lane is a rookie who is already showing promise, and McCaffery is a second year guy who they like and will be on the roster at least for this year.

Would I throw gobs of money at Bourne? No. But I would throw my hat in the ring and see if there is a deal to be had.
 
skinsfan4128 said:
That doesnt necessarily make him a replacement player for our team. In fact, it says another that he was released and then obviously only given low level contracts from both SF and our team. To me, that speaks volumes.

In my opinion, he isn't much better than what we have 1-4 receiver options. So it doesnt bother me that he decided to wait to sign. Good luck with that. Lol.

Otherwise, hope the best for him.

HTTR!
Click to expand...

Replacement level isn’t a complement, there just aren’t a lot of decent outside WR’s who can block well in the running game sitting out in FA right now. If Brown doesn’t play, we’re running a slot WR out wide in his place right now. That hurts the passing game to a degree, but it also hurts the running game and potentially limits what we can do. Brown’s got an extensive injury history. Bourne on a minimum contract is just smart for a contender like us, it’s not like anyone’s pretending he’s going to save the day at WR, it’s really not controversial.
 
Conn said:
Replacement level isn’t a complement, there just aren’t a lot of decent outside WR’s who can block well in the running game sitting out in FA right now. If Brown doesn’t play, we’re running a slot WR out wide in his place right now. That hurts the passing game to a degree, but it also hurts the running game and potentially limits what we can do. Brown’s got an extensive injury history. Bourne on a minimum contract is just smart for a contender like us, it’s not like anyone’s pretending he’s going to save the day at WR, it’s really not controversial.
Click to expand...
Very true, but let's not pretend Bournes injury situation is any better than Brown's. My point was that after our 1-3 WRs, we have to basically rookies (though I'll concede that LM has a lot to prove at this point).

Nonetheless, Bourne could potentially help, but I wouldn't put much faith in him as opposed to what we already have. In fact, I'd prefer to see what our rooks can do.

I'd support it if AP brings him in, but im not going nuts if he doesn't sign him. That's all I can say about it.

HTTR!
 
skinsfan4128 said:
Very true, but let's not pretend Bournes injury situation is any better than Brown's. My point was that after our 1-3 WRs, we have to basically rookies (though I'll concede that LM has a lot to prove at this point).

Nonetheless, Bourne could potentially help, but I wouldn't put much faith in him as opposed to what we already have. In fact, I'd prefer to see what our rooks can do.

I'd support it if AP brings him in, but im not going nuts if he doesn't sign him. That's all I can say about it.

HTTR!
Click to expand...

I think this is a fair take. I want to see the young guys have a chance to grow as well—I just want it to happen at the position they’re fit for. Unless they’re much better blockers in the running game than I currently believe, I don’t really want to see Lane or McCaffrey playing out wide even if they technically can do it. We’ll be missing an element without Brown if we don’t have a competent backup in that role, but I’d trust Kliff to work around it game plan wise. It would be a bigger problem if he goes down mid game. It’s not a huge impact signing either way, you’re right. But it’s a hole we currently have that can be filled cheaply if he signs, so I’m on board with it.
 
If Bourne was going to agree to sign a vet minimum type deal he would have been signed already.

Washington isn’t going to pay Bourne a contract in the ballpark of what Brown is making.

When I use the words ‘replacement level’ that means if there is an injury or need for a receiver during the season we could likely find a street free agent or poach another team’s practice squad and find a player with similar skills.
 
Conn said:
I think this is a fair take. I want to see the young guys have a chance to grow as well—I just want it to happen at the position they’re fit for. Unless they’re much better blockers in the running game than I currently believe, I don’t really want to see Lane or McCaffrey playing out wide even if they technically can do it. We’ll be missing an element without Brown if we don’t have a competent backup in that role, but I’d trust Kliff to work around it game plan wise. It would be a bigger problem if he goes down mid game. It’s not a huge impact signing either way, you’re right. But it’s a hole we currently have that can be filled cheaply if he signs, so I’m on board with it.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your assessment, Conn. And to some extent, I agree. Again, I ain't coming unhinged with Bourne not signing with us.

In fact, I find it amusing that some folks are losing their minds over it. Truth is, Bourne has the same injury history as Brown. Now, with that said, Brown has produced for us. But even so, the injury big still bit him towards the end of the season.

Regardless, I'm not thinking Bourne not signing here is the beginning of the apocalypse. Let's give Lane and LM a chance to prove themselves and integrate into this offense (albeit I'd have LM on a very short leash).

Thanks though, Conn. Very well thought out post.

HTTR!
 
Well I'd say AP is going to keep a pulse on downfield receiver availabilities.
 
Bulldog said:
After camp and what we saw in terms of vets comments Jaylin Lane is going to be here for a good long time.

I don’t get that vibe surrounding McCaffrey.
Click to expand...

Someone who covers the team, forgetting which one said it, said that this coaching staff is much higher on McCaffrey than fans are. But who knows?
 
That's not a promising group. Davis did sign with the Bills PS
 
skinsinparadise said:
I thought Davis signed in Buffalo

Click to expand...

I am not sure why we still need WR help.. Terry and Noah are both rounding in to shape. Lane looks decent and Debo had 10 looks.
Mccafrey is a bust, Sinnot is looking that way too. I would be more apt to look at additional TE help

All those WRs will still be on waivers mid season.
 
We don't have a natural X-Z backup. Lane and McCaffrey are more slot type WRs. They can slide into Z I guess but that's not their natural position. Dyami wasn't perfect but he was a natural Z WR. Noah who is playing Z tends to get hurt every year.
 
Last edited:
SkinsLife said:
Mccafrey is a bust, Sinnot is looking that way too. I would be more apt to look at additional TE help
Click to expand...

I doubt it.

Admittedly Sinnott had a bad day against the Giants because he missed a block in punt protection, but I still think TE is one of our strongest position groups. Ertz is Jayden’s BFF, Bates is the best blocking TE in football, Sinnott is a good special teams player with high upside who can block and catch, and we have Yankoff as TE4.

McCaffery actually did okay in his limited opportunities yesterday, he had a good block on Deebo’s TD run and a strong kick return.

It’s really too soon to call either Sinnott or McCaffery a bust. I would not be surprised if the coaches like them better than the fans, who are awfully negative on them for some reason. I think they’ve shown enough and have enough upside to give them more than a year to develop.
 
Last edited:
Faithful Fan said:
I doubt it.

Admittedly Sinnott had a bad day against the Giants because he missed a block in punt protection, but I still think TE is one of our strongest position groups. Ertz is Jayden’s BFF, Bates is the best blocking TE in football, Sinnott is a good special teams player with high upside who can block and catch, and we have Yankoff as TE4.

McCaffery actually did okay in his limited opportunities yesterday, he had a good block on Deebo’s TD run and a strong kick return.

It’s really too soon to call either Sinnott or McCaffery a bust. I would not be surprised if the coaches like them better than the fans, who are awfully negative on them for some reason. I think they’ve shown enough and have enough upside to give them more than a year to develop.
Click to expand...
righting is on the wall. it s pretty obvious neither figures in to much of the Offensive game plan.
Mccafrey was in on 5 offensive snaps... 5.. let that sync in. This is after the team took a serious look at Bourne and in his 2nd year in the NFL.
Sinnot played 7 offensive snaps... and this is with Ertz basically being in the catch and fall down TE at this stage. I'd love to see Yankoff get more looks.. but i am worried if Ertz goes down.

If they were drafted late and were deemed major projects... eh ok. But both were drafted pretty high and expected to contribute sooner rather than later.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 1, Members: 0, Guests: 1)

Help Users

You haven't joined any rooms.

    You haven't joined any rooms.
    Top