NFL San Francisco 49ers

5 Players Who Will Be Released By San Francisco 49ers In 2015 Offseason

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By @sdmeyers1

5 Players Who Will Be Released By San Francisco 49ers In 2015 Offseason

Vernon Davis 3
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Although the San Francisco 49ers are projected to be slightly under the salary cap entering the 2015 offseason, the team will look to make some changes after an 8-8 campaign. As a result, several veterans will likely become cap casualties. Here are five players who could be released by the 49ers this offseason.

5. Jonathan Martin

Jonathan Martin
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5. Jonathan Martin

Jonathan Martin
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Jim Harbaugh provided Martin, who played under the coach at Stanford, with a chance to rejuvenate his career in San Francisco, but the results were mixed. Martin saw plenty of snaps because of multiple injuries to starting tackle Anthony Davis, and he struggled more times than not. While he's still serviceable as a backup tackle, his 2015 salary will exceed $1 million, so the team may go a cheaper route.

4. Craig Dahl

Craig Dahl
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4. Craig Dahl

Craig Dahl
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Dahl has been a special teams standout, but it's hard to justify paying nearly $2 million to a safety who rarely contributes in the base defense. Although Dahl did start a few games at the end of the 2014 season, and even had the clinching interception in the 49ers' Week 17 victory, the surplus of young and talented defensive backs in San Francisco could make the eight-year veteran expendable.

3. Phil Dawson

Phil Dawson 3
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3. Phil Dawson

Phil Dawson 3
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The 49ers have paid a premium for Dawson, who is one of the best kickers in NFL history. In his first two years in a 49ers' uniform, Dawson lived up to his salary, but he'll turn 40 later this month, and it's hard to justify paying a kicker more than $4 million regardless of how great he is. San Francisco may be able to snag a promising kicker in the draft or free agency for a fraction of that cost, which could put Dawson's future in jeopardy.

2. Vernon Davis

Vernon Davis 2
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2. Vernon Davis

Vernon Davis 2
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Davis has been one of the league's top tight ends over the past decade, but 2014 was a massive disappointment. After holding out briefly prior to season, Davis struggled to ever find his rhythm in the offense. Although lingering injuries may have played a role in his output, Davis' days as an elite player could be over, especially with his 31st birthday approaching. At nearly $7 million, Davis' contract could be terminated to free up cap space.

1. Ahmad Brooks

Ahmad Brooks
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1. Ahmad Brooks

Ahmad Brooks
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2014 was a year that the pass-rushing linebacker would like to forget. Brooks was less effective on the field as he notched just six sacks. He had bigger discipline issues, though, as he was twice benched during the campaign, once following a heated exchange with coaches, and the other after he missed a team meeting. Brooks is slated to earn just shy of $10 million in 2015, but the 49ers will instead turn to the emerging Aaron Lynch.

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