49ers Fans Will Be Happy to See Veteran Playmaker Leave After Disappointing Season

After a vastly disappointing season, the San Francisco 49ers are entering a crucial offseason. With 24 players entering unrestricted free agency, the Niners have plenty of difficult decisions to make.

Their top priority is obviously to lock up star QB Brock Purdy for the long term. Key defenders like Dre Greenlaw, Kevin Givens, Javon Hargrave, and Talanoa Hufanga will obviously be high on the priority list for the 49ers. Some of these players, most likely Hufanga, could get to a point where San Francisco will not be able to afford them.

Other pending free agents, however, are lower on the list. In fact, the Niners should be happy to part ways with a few of them.

Veteran linebacker De'Vondre Campbell is an obvious one. After refusing to enter the game in an unprecedented display of unprofessionalism, he will not be back in San Francisco.

A departure that is less expected but equally needed is backup tight end Eric Saubert.

49ers Should Not Re-Sign TE Eric Saubert in Free Agency

The 49ers offense took a major step back last season after being a top-five unit in the league two seasons in a row. In order to get back to their old form, San Francisco could use to make some changes to the personnel.

The 49ers arguably have the best tight end in the game in George Kittle. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to find a high-quality playmaker as TE2 for years. Saubert was the latest in a long list of TE2 signings last offseason but failed to make an impact.

Saubert played every game for San Francisco this season, started in three, and lined up in 377 offensive snaps. He also played a large role on special teams, playing over 67% of available snaps there.

In those offensive snaps, Saubert put up 11 catches for 97 yards and one touchdown to go with one costly fumble. He received a 51.2 offensive grade on Pro Football Focus, making him the 67th-best tight end among 75 eligible players in the position. In addition to his 49.1 receiving grade, his 31.8 pass-blocking grade leaves plenty to be desired.

Not only is Saubert not a reliable pass-catching option, but he also doesn't contribute much as a blocker.

The 30-year-old could be worth keeping around as a TE3, but the Niners are likely better off targeting a younger tight end with a higher upside for that spot. An upgrade at backup TE is a need the 49ers have to address this offseason.