Defensive lineman Michael Bennett, the Seattle Seahawks’ leader with 8 ½ sacks last season, tops the list of scheduled free agents for the Super Bowl champions.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus will certainly look to cash in for Bennett, his client. On the eve of the open-negotiating period, Pro Football Talk reported "some believe that the 49ers will make a run at Bennett" and spark a bidding war with the Seahawks.
[RELATED: NFL free agency Q&A]
Justin Smith, Ray McDonald and Glenn Dorsey are expected to return as the 49ers’ starters along the defensive line of the 49ers' 3-4 defense. Tank Carradine, a second-round pick last year, carries "high expectations" from 49ers Jim Harbaugh after a recent knee procedure to remove scar tissue. Potential backups Ian Williams, Tony Jerod-Eddie and Quinton Dial are also under contract for next season.
While it seems unlikely the 49ers would over-extend for a player at a position where the club already has good depth, you can be sure the NFC West rivals will be keeping a close eye on each other.
Earlier, we looked at a list of the 49ers’ free-agent priorities. Here’s the list of the Seahawks’ scheduled free agents:
Starters/key contributors
DE Michael Bennett
WR Golden Tate
CB Walter Thurmond
DL Red Bryant (cut)
OT Breno Giacomini
OG Paul McQuistan
CB Brandon Browner
K Steven Hausckha
Others
WR Sidney Rice (cut)
S Chris Maragos
FB Michael Robinson
LB O’Brien Schofield
QB Tarvaris Jackson
DT Tony McDaniel
DT Clinton McDonald
TE Kellen Davis
TE Anthony McCoy
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