Extension Candidate: Mike Iupati
The 49ers have been forced to pick their battles when it comes to handing out fresh contracts — while they have yet to pony up new money for Vernon Davis or Alex Boone, San Francisco has extended both Colin Kaepernick and Joe Staley, and seem likely to do the same for Michael Crabtree (whom PFR’s Luke Adams examined as an extension candidate last week). Guard Mike Iupati appears to be on the outside looking in when it comes to a new deal; his contract, which is set to pay him a base salary of $2.97MM, expires after 2014, and it’s unlikely he will return to the Bay Area.
Offensive guard isn’t typically a highly-valued position, even when the player in question is as talented as Iupati. As Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle writes, only eight guards have been selected in the first round of the draft since 2000. Additionally, the 49ers have already heavily invested along the offensive line, handing both Staley and right tackle Anthony Davis new contracts over the past 18 months, so the team, with only about $5MM in cap space with which to work, might be wary about pouring more money into its front five.
Additionally, San Francisco has set itself up well in the event that Iupati does leave via free agency. In fact, the team held “behind-closed-doors conversations” last season regarding its options if Iupati leaves, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. In May, with their seemingly endless supply of draft picks, the 49ers added viable guard replacements in the third round. Pick No. 70 Marcus Martin was viewed as one of the top centers available in the draft, but if Daniel Kilgore cements that position for San Francisco, Martin could conceivably be shifted to guard. Clemson product Brandon Thomas, picked 30 spots after Martin, is a natural guard, but will miss the upcoming season after tearing his ACL during predraft workouts. He’ll be ready for the 2015 opener, however, and his presence could allow San Francisco to let Iupati walk.
In the likely event that the Iupati departs the 49ers, he will draw plenty of interest around the league. After being selected with the 17th pick in 2010, the 27-year-old Iupati has started 60 out of a possible 64 games. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in both 2012 and 2013, and was named an All-Pro in 2012. Pro Football Focus’ metrics (subscription required) have fluctuated on Iupati: During his first three seasons, Iupati never ranked lower than 13th among guards, and topped out at 5th overall in 2012. Last season, however, Iupati fell all the way to 35th at his position, largely due to his subpar pass blocking grade.
2013’s poor performance aside, Iupati is in line for a hefty payday, with Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee opining that Iupati could become the highest-paid guard in the league. Working in his favor is the lack of competition among prospective free agents at his position group next offseason. The Broncos’ Orlando Franklin had a nice season as a tackle last season, and if he succeeds in his transition to guard, could be looking at large contract. The rest of the 2015 free agent guard class, however, is filled with second- and third-tier options like Jeromey Clary, Willie Colon, James Carpenter, and Lance Louis.
Currently, the highest-paid guards in the league on an average annual value basis are Carl Nicks, Logan Mankins, and Jahri Evans, who earn $9.5MM, $8.5MM, and $8.1MM, respectively. Nicks also received the largest guarantee at $25MM, good for an guarantee per year of $5MM; 52.6% of his contract was guaranteed. After those three players, the total values and guarantees fall quickly into a second tier, Andy Levitre, Ben Grubbs, and Josh Sitton all earning between $6.5-8MM per season.
Iupati’s new deal will almost certainly fall into the first tier of guards. After his declining level of play in 2013, a lot hinges on his 2014 performance. With a solid season, I could see him topping Nicks’ contract, and perhaps even cracking the $10MM per season barrier. He could be looking at a guarantee in the neighborhood of $26-28MM. It’s a lot of money for a non-premier position, but I think Iupati is well-regarded enough around the league that a bidding war could ensue. Even with a lackluster season, Iupati should still match Evans’ $8.1MM average salary.
An extension with the 49ers can’t be completely ignored. Perhaps Iupati wants to stay in San Francisco, where he plays on perhaps the league’s best offensive line. The Niners’ coaching staff and front office are solid, and the team is expected to remain competitive for some time. If that means enough to Iupati, maybe he would take a discount to stay in San Francisco. But the more likely scenario entails him leaving the Bay Area, and seeking the highest contract for his services.
West Notes: Boone, Smith, Williams, Cardinals
49ers guard Alex Boone will not report to training camp unless he is given a new deal, reports Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports. It’s not clear how much of a raise Boone wants over his scheduled $2MM and $1.2MM base salaries for 2014 and 2015, respectively, but as Getlin tweets, the crux of this disagreement is “valuation.” While San Francisco believes Boone is worth top-20 guard money, the sixth-year player believes he is in an even higher stratum. Sources also tell Getlin that Joe Staley‘s extension was, in part, a signal to Boone that new contracts can be struck, but only for players who attend workouts. More from the NFL’s two West divisions:
- Extension talks continue between Alex Smith and the Chiefs, but there are “significant differences” between the two parties, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
- Paylor lists the backup QB competition as the #1 training camp battle on the Chiefs roster; Chase Daniel, Tyler Bray, and Aaron Murray are all fighting for the job.
- The 49ers placed defensive lineman Ian Williams on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, tweets Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. The active/PUP list means a player is unable to perform during preseason workouts at the current time; as soon as the player is healthy, he can come off the list. Placement on the active/PUP list makes a player eligible for the more well-known reserve/PUP list, which mandates that a player miss the first weeks of the regular season.
- Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com takes a look at the more interesting position battles on the Cardinals, listing the right side of the offensive line and cornerback as two areas where competition and depth are abundant.
- Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com projects the Broncos’ 53-man roster, and veteran tight end Joel Dreessen doesn’t make the cut.
Latest On Aldon Smith
A Santa Clara Superior Court judge sentenced 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith to 12 days in jail following his arrests for DUI and weapons offenses, but he can serve the time on a work crew while being placed on probation, reports Tracey Kaplan of the Bay Area News Group (via Twitter). Smith will also face $2K fine, be banned from owning guns or ammunition during his three-year probation period, and be forced to serve an additional 235 hours of community service, according to Kaplan’s colleague at the Bay Area News Group, Cam Inman.
Per Kaplan, the work crew sessions will take place on Mondays, and with Mondays being the usual 49ers off day, Smith won’t miss any practice time, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea,com. As Mike Garafolo of Fox Sport 1 adds (on Twitter), Smith’s Monday work sessions “magically” conclude the week before San Francisco’s first Monday Night Football game with the Rams.
On the whole, it appears as though Smith won’t face any serious punishment for his transgressions, and any legal ramifications shouldn’t affect his ability to play for the 49ers. However, the 24-year-old isn’t out of the woods just yet, as an NFL suspension could be in the works. Jim Trotter of Sports Illustrated tweets a “complete guess” as to Smith’s possible NFL penalty — a four-game ban that is negotiated down to two or three contests, which sounds fair to me.
Additionally, although Smith’s 2015 fifth-year option was exercised, but that contract is guaranteed for injury only until the first day of the 2015 league year. Smith got off lightly following this situation, but if similar incidents continue to occur, it’s fair to wonder if the Niners might decide to part ways with the talented, but mercurial, pass-rusher. General manager Trent Baalke did release a statement, saying that the team “will continue to support Aldon’s efforts to grow personally from this experience.”
NFC Notes: 49ers, Suh, Eagles, Packers
Commissioner Roger Goodell raised the idea of the 49ers and the Raiders possibly sharing Levi’s Stadium but one reader reminded Tim Kawakami of the Mercury News that such a plan would probably be unrealistic. The personal seat licenses that 49ers fans had to pay into entitles them to first dibs on events at the stadium, which certainly wouldn’t fly with the Raiders or their fans. Here’s more out of the NFC..
- Now that agent Jimmy Sexton has finished negotiating Jimmy Graham’s deal with the Saints, he can concentrate fully on a new deal for his other high-profile client, Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press writes. Of course, that’s assuming the two sides want to hammer out a new contract. Earlier this week, Justin Rogers of MLive.com wrote that Detroit still wants to work out an extension with Suh this offseason and suggested that a five-year, $63MM deal could make sense.
- John Clayton of ESPN.com looks at ten under-the-radar camp battles going on, including the Eagles‘ logjam at outside linebacker. Brandon Graham, a former first-round pick from the Andy Reid era, could be on the outside looking in when all is said and done.
- Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com takes a crack at predicting the Packers‘ 53-man roster. Demovsky projects tight ends Richard Rodgers, Andrew Quarless, Brandon Bostick, and Ryan Taylor to make the roster, but undrafted rookie Colt Lyeria is a wild card that could shake things up. McCarthy has also carried five TEs in the past.
- Some people have questioned whether Falcons rookie Jake Matthews has the physical strength to succeed at the next level, but his father Bruce Matthews isn’t concerned in the least, writes Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. “Floyd Reese, he was our GM when I was with the Tennessee Titans,” the elder Matthews explained, “and we drafted a guy — it might have been my last year — and Floyd goes, ‘This kid bench-presses like 700 pounds.’ And I go, ‘Damn, it’s a shame you can’t play with a bench on your back.'”‘
49ers Extend Joe Staley Through 2019
FRIDAY, 3:00pm: Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter) has the goods on Staley’s contract. The deal adds two option years for a total of $18.8MM and can be worth $23.2MM if he hits certain incentives. The Niners have to decide on Staley’s $6MM option for 2018 on April 1st, 2015 and will decide on the $4MM option for 2019 on April 1st, 2016. The base salaries for both years comes out to $4.8MM (link).
THURSDAY, 4:29pm: The 49ers have added two extra years to left tackle Joe Staley‘s contract, locking him up through the 2019 season, the team announced today in a press release. The offensive lineman’s previous deal ran through 2017.
“In today’s NFL, it is rare for a player to play his entire career with one team,” 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement. “With this extension, Joe will likely be a 49er for life. He is a three-time All-Pro and core member of our football team. His commitment and professionalism have been great assets to our team and our community. This extension reflects our philosophy of investing in our core players.”
Staley, who turns 30 next month, has started all 98 games he has played for the Niners since entering the league in 2007, and has been the team’s starting left tackle since 2008. The former first-round pick has made the Pro Bowl in each of his last three seasons, and has ranked among the top five tackles in football in each of the last two years according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), including first overall in 2012.
While the Niners have a number of other extension candidates to potentially address, including Vernon Davis, Alex Boone, Mike Iupati, and – as I discussed earlier this afternoon – Michael Crabtree, the team had been mulling reworking Staley’s deal for some time. The veteran tackle had been slated to earn just $21.65MM over the next four years, so his new contract will likely come with some bonus money up front. We’ll have to wait for the official numbers to be reported, but the club could also use the new agreement to reduce Staley’s cap hit for this year or next, in order to create some extra flexibility for those other players seeking extensions.
Extra Points: Holmgren, Gordon, 49ers
Mike Holmgren indicated to Greg Bishop of MMQB that he’s leaving the door open to an NFL return. “I know guys who coached after 65. I thought I would. The more I’m moving away from it, it’s flattering when you get a call from somebody. It strokes your ego. Then you start to think, Hey, I could do that! I mean, I miss it. I miss the coaching. I miss it,” said the 66-year-old, before adding that he’s “semi-retired.” Holmgren was sacked as Browns president after a three year stint and he still has the itch to get back involved in football. Here’s more from around the league..
- Josh Gordon‘s agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed that the appeal hearing for the Browns star regarding his drug suspension is coming up soon, tweets Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer.
- The 49ers are set to move into Levi’s Stadium, but commissioner Roger Goodell indicated that they might not be the only tenants there. “Well, we have two pro teams in the Bay Area. Obviously, the stadium issue in Oakland’s going to have to be resolved, too,” Goodell said, writes Dan Hanzus of NFL.com. “We believe a new stadium is appropriate for the Raiders. They have to make that determination whether they’re in a new stadium in Oakland or whether they feel that it’s best to join this stadium. We’re working on that, and that’s one of the decisions they’ll have to make.”
- There will be changes coming to the feedback system for college underclassmen, as Chase Goodbread of NFL.com explains (based off of Albert Breer’s report). Underclassmen will now be given one of three grades: first-round, second-round, or neither, which is the equivalent of “stay in school.” In the past, underclassmen had been given five grades: 1) as high as the first round, 2) as high as the second round, 3) as high as the third round, 4) not in the first three rounds, and 5) not draftable.
- Patriots owner Bob Kraft says the NFL should “work very hard” to have a team in London before the end of the decade, tweets Marc Sessler of NFL.com.
Poll: Which 49ers Will Get Extensions?
Earlier today, the 49ers announced that they have extended left tackle Joe Staley through the 2019 season. Staley’s previous deal took him through the 2017 season and the additional two years makes it likely that the soon-to-be 30-year-old will finish his career in San Francisco. Of course, there’s still more work to be done for the 49ers as tight end Vernon Davis and right guard Alex Boone are demanding new contracts. Staley declined to comment specifically on the two players who skipped the 49ers’ offseason program and did not attend the mandatory minicamp, but expressed optimism that things would work out.
“Speaking on those players you’re alluding to, they’re very, very talented players,” Staley said, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “And speaking of Alex Boone, he’s someone that I have the upmost respect for, and really, really hope that we can play our entire careers together. He’s someone I have a ton of respect for. And want to see him here. “It’s his situation, and whatever he wants to get done, I have the confidence the Niners and him will work it out.”
While terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, it’s possible that Staley’s contract could be designed to give SF a little bit more breathing room in the short-term to get deals done for others. In addition to Davis and Boone, the 49ers have extension candidates in wide receiver Michael Crabtree and left guard Mike Iupati. Iupati, a two-time Pro Bowler, could be in line for a big payday if he explores his options on the open market after the 2014 season. Crabtree should be in line for a hefty deal himself and as Luke Adams explained earlier today, the deals signed by Eric Decker ($7.25MM per year, $15MM guaranteed) and DeSean Jackson ($8MM per year, $16MM guaranteed) should be a floor for him. However, it might make more sense for both parties to wait until after this season to work on a new deal for Crabtree. After an injury shortened season, a strong 2014 could boost Crabtree’s haul and give SF more confidence in offering a long-term pact.
So, we’ll leave it to you. Which of these players (if any) will receive new deals before the start of the season?
Total votes: 237
Which 49ers Will Get New Deals?
Extension Candidate: Michael Crabtree
While several players will likely sign extensions before hitting free agency in March, the current crop of wide receivers eligible to be unrestricted free agents in 2015 is impressive. Demaryius Thomas of the Broncos, Dez Bryant of the Cowboys, and pair of Packers wideouts – Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb – lead a talented group of pass catchers who will certainly cash in if and when they reach the open market.
One of the most intriguing names in the group is Michael Crabtree of the 49ers. Richard Sherman‘s arch-nemesis underwent surgery in the spring of 2013 to repair a torn Achilles tendon, and the injury ultimately sidelined Crabtree for a sizable chunk of the regular season — he didn’t return to the field until December.
In 2012, Crabtree enjoyed a breakout season catching balls from Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick, establishing new career highs in receptions (85), receiving yards (1,105), and touchdowns (9). He was just as dynamic in the postseason, compiling 285 yards and three touchdowns through the air and helping San Francisco reach the Super Bowl, where he nearly hauled in a game-winning touchdown on the team’s final drive.
Had he continued to build on 2012’s success last season, Crabtree would be eyeing a contract extension that places him among the NFL’s highest-paid receivers, and would be challenging Thomas and Bryant to earn the largest contract among in the free agent wideout class of 2015. As is, the Texas Tech product may still be seeking such a deal, but his lost 2013 season clouds his value a little.
There’s no doubt that Crabtree, who turns 27 in December, has proven to be a talented and dangerous downfield threat, and is an important part of a 49ers offense whose passing game often struggled last year when he was sidelined. As Crabtree enters a contract year, the club should be interested in working out a new deal to ensure he remains in San Francisco catching balls from Kaepernick for years to come. But 2012 was the first and only season in which it all really came together for the former 10th overall pick, so the modest overall receiving numbers on his career résumé could hurt his leverage in contract negotiations.
A look at other contracts on the Niners’ books suggest that Crabtree could run into further roadblocks in negotiations. Vernon Davis and Alex Boone are among the players who have already taken a more active stance in pursuing new contracts this year, having skipped the club’s spring workouts and minicamp. As such, addressing those potential extensions may be a priority for the 49ers before they get around to entering serious discussions with Crabtree.
Additionally, the new deal signed by Kaepernick earlier this offseason was a fairly team-friendly one, with only about $13MM of the contract’s total $114MM value guaranteed at the time of its signing. While the structure of that extension may not have an impact on signings around the league, the Niners will have it in their back pocket when they negotiate extensions with other players, able to point out that the team’s leader was willing to make something of a sacrifice on his new contract.
While these factors will all come into play, none of them are significant enough to diminish Crabtree’s value significantly. The largest deals signed by receivers this offseason – Eric Decker‘s $7.25MM per year contract ($15MM guaranteed) and DeSean Jackson‘s $8MM per year deal ($16MM guaranteed) – should be a floor for Crabtree, barring another major injury or a disappointing 2014 season. The Niners pass-catcher may not find himself among the top five highest-paid wideouts in 2015 and beyond, but something in the neighborhood of Greg Jennings‘ current deal ($9MM annually, $17.8MM guaranteed) could make sense, and there’s certainly potential for something even bigger.
Ultimately, considering the club has other contracts to address and Crabtree is coming off an injury-shortened 2013 campaign, I’d expect the Niners to take their time negotiating an extension, unless they can lock up the wideout at a bargain price this summer. A full, healthy 2014 season for Crabtree would go a long way toward re-establishing his value, and could make the club even more confident to invest in him in the new year, either via a long-term extension or the franchise tag.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFC Notes: Hardy, Orakpo, Boone, Suh
After being found guilty on Tuesday of assault on a female and communicating threats, Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy is currently being monitored by the NFL, writes Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com.
While Hardy was found guilty by a judge, the two-step process in North Carolina allows him to now stand trial before a jury. This is an important note – as Florio writes, the NFL usually doesn’t punish first-time offenders “until there has been a disposition of the proceeding.”
However, as the writer points out, the NFL can still do whatever it wants. Futhermore, the Panthers could decide to suspend Hardy for “conduct detrimental to the team,” allowing them to save more than $770K a week.
Let’s check out some more notes from the NFC…
- After not signing an extension by yesterday’s deadline, Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo could be facing a make-or-break year, writes Rich Tandler of RealRedskins.com. As the writer notes, the team has done a lot to put Orakpo in a position to succeed. The Redskins added free agent pass rusher Jason Hatcher, drafted linebacker Trent Murphy and brought in coach Brian Baker to refine Orakpo’s skills. If the 27-year-old can’t succeed under those circumstances, Tandler says “there isn’t much hope that he ever will.”
- There’s no denying that 49ers guard Alex Boone is underpaid, writes Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee. After all, the holdout candidate signed his current contract when he was a backup. However, the team could drag out negotiations by arguing that their depth, including Joe Looney and Marcus Martin, could fill in adequately.
- The Lions still hope to sign Ndamukong Suh to an extension this offseason, writes MLive.com’s Justin Rogers. The writer takes a look at some of the most lucrative contracts signed by veteran defensive tackles and suggest a contract worth $63MM over five seasons.
Freeman’s Latest: Davis, Browns, Ravens, Rice
Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report checks in this morning with the latest installment of his regular 10-Point Stance feature, and the piece includes several notable tidbits from around the NFL. Let’s dive in and round up the highlights….
- For now, all indications are that 49ers tight end Vernon Davis will hold out in hopes of signing a new contract. That could change, according to Freeman, who isn’t convinced Davis will “actually take the leap” into a full-fledged holdout, but that seems to be the tight end’s plan at the moment.
- At least one member of the Browns‘ coaching staff was pleased to see LeBron James decide to return to Cleveland because of the potential impact it could have on a certain rookie quarterback. “There will not be a better mentor for Johnny [Manziel] than LeBron,” said the coach. As Freeman explains, the Browns hope LeBron can show Manziel how to be “smart about his public image while also enjoying his stardom.”
- After Jimmy Smith became the fifth Ravens player to be arrested this offseason, Freeman suggests that the club’s front office “won’t put up with this type of nonsense for much longer.”
- Another of those Ravens who ran into legal trouble this year, Ray Rice, is still waiting to hear from the NFL about a suspension. According to Freeman, a two- to three-game ban is the likely scenario. As for Colts owner Jim Irsay, Freeman is hearing that he’s expected to receive a multigame suspension as well as a seven-figure fine.