SANTA CLARA – Flipping the financial calendar to a new league year may prompt the 49ers to address high-priced contracts on their payroll.

And it may not stop them from thinking big as free agency ignites Monday.

The NFC champions’ roster makeover began last week, with the release of cornerback Isaiah Oliver after a scuttled one-year tenure. Restructuring other contracts, or ditching them completely, will create more space for acquisitions, in-house extensions or future moves this year or next offseason.

The 49ers’ regime, led by coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, typically have a surprise or two to make in their annual championship quest.

Complementing their offensive and defensive lines with a veteran might be paramount in this spring’s shopping season, all due respect to needs at cornerback, wide receiver, linebacker and tight end. Here is how the trenches are looking:

Defensive end

WHY HERE: The 49ers’ defensive front line is considered the engine that makes everything go. It sputtered in 2023, and it would be suspect to invest even more when Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead already have cap numbers totaling nearly $60 million in 2024. But the 49ers desperately need a bookend opposite Bosa, and that could come with another high-priced veteran or, more likely, younger prospects who could rotate into that spot.

WHO’S AVAILABLE: Josh Allen (Jaguars; franchise tagged), Brian Burns (Panthers; franchise tagged), Danielle Hunter (Vikings); Jonathan Greenard (Texans), Bryce Huff (Jets), Leonard Floyd (Bills; 32), Yannick Ngakoue (Bears), Andrew Van Ginkel (Dolphins), Jadeveon Clowney (Ravens; 31), Romeo Okwara (Lions), Emmanuel Ogbah (Dolphins); Marcus Davenport (Vikings); Za’Darius Smith (Browns; 32); and, Derek Barnett (Texans).

BLOCKBUSTER TRADE: Acquiring Joey Bosa from the cap-conscious Chargers and pairing him with younger brother, Nick, would be the ideal formula, though it will cost multiple draft picks and millions of dollars. The other intriguing – and outrageous – option is to repeat 2019 (see: Dee Ford, Chiefs) by trading for a franchise-tagged Allen or Burns, then awarding him a top-of-market contract, like the other three starters on the 49ers’ line.

HIGH-PRICED SIGNING: Hunter has 33 sacks in three seasons since neck surgery, including 16 ½ last season at age 29. The Vikings gave him a $72 million extension in 2018, so he’s onto his third contract, and perhaps his last, so he won’t come cheap. No one will. But maybe the 49ers go with a younger model, such as the Texans’ Greenard (12 ½ sacks last year) or the Jets’ Huff (10 sacks under coach Robert Saleh). Flloyd, 31, left the Bears in 2020 to play for the Rams and their defensive coordinator Brandon Saley, who’s now on the 49ers’ staff.

IN-HOUSE OPTIONS: Clelin Ferrell acquitted himself nicely in 2017, but 3 ½ sacks aren’t enough to justify a sizeable raise. Chase Young came from Washington with concerns and didn’t erase them, but a full year/offseason in the system could be what he needs for a bigger year (and a bigger contract next spring). Randy Gregory didn’t produce much, either, and he could be onto his fourth team in as many years.

Offensive line

WHY HERE: Of course the 49ers will want to insulate Brock Purdy from career-threatening, offense-imploding hits and pressure. Every team wants that for their quarterback. The 49ers’ line is not as bad as some perceive. It just broke down in key moments in the Super Bowl. While many focus on upgrading the right guard and right tackle spots, the 49ers need a succession plan in place once Trent Williams is done at left tackle, presumably in the coming years.

WHO’S AVAILABLE: Mike Onwenu (Patriots), Laken Tomlinson (Jets), Jon Runyan Jr. (Packers), Robert Hunt (Dolphins), Andre James (Raiders), Coleman Shelton (Rams), Lloyd Cushenberry (Broncos).

BIG DEAL AHEAD: Onwenu’s experience at both guard and tackle, in four seasons with the Patriots, could be just what the 49ers are looking for in terms of positional flexibility and future lineups. Tomlinson, who blossomed as a reliable right guard for the 49ers from 2017-2021, obviously is well-versed in the 49ers’ scheme, as is Hunt, Runyan and Shelton. If the 49ers look to Cushenberry or other centers, that would be a surprise signal of any displeasure with incumbent Jake Brendel. Most credited offensive tackles hitting the market are over 30, so they’re not exactly long-term solutions to replace Williams, but what about another (non-related) Williams: the Bengals’ Jonah Williams?

BLOCKBUSTER TRADE: Brandon Scherff once played on Washington’s line with Trent Williams and has nine years of experience. He kicked Arik Armstead in the knee on a perceived dirty play last November, but Scherff is a five-time Pro Bowler whose $15 million salary could make him expendable with the Jaguars.

IN-HOUSE OPTIONS: John Lynch recently expressed a desire to re-sign Jon Feliciano, who seized the starting right guard spot last season ahead of Spencer Burford. It likely will take a hefty raise to lure back Feliciano, who pocketed $2.25 million for last season’s try at a Super Bowl ring. Other 49ers’ free agents are Matt Pryor and Ben Bartch.

49ers trade up with Broncos to No. 12 to draft offensive tackle in NFL Wires’ mock draft

Would you make this trade?

Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images

We’re getting closer to the draft so that means the mock drafts are rolling in. NFL Wires did a mock draft on Saturday where all the writers of the team sites pitched in. And in this one there were trades. The San Francisco 49ers had a mega-trade giving their first (No. 31), second (No. 63), and a sixth (No. 216) round pick to the Denver Broncos.

Niners Wire’s Kyle Madson broke down this trade seeing it too good to pass up. This led to them selecting Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga.

Trade Details:

49ers get No. 12

Broncos get Nos. 31, 63, 216

This offer from the Broncos was too good to pass up. For the low, low price of a second-round pick and sixth-round pick, the 49ers get to leap up 19 spots to snag the best available offensive tackle on the board instead of waiting to see who’s there at No. 31. Fuaga differs from the prospects dipping to 31 in most mocks because of his pro-ready all-around skill set. He’s a player San Francisco can credibly slot in at right tackle on Day 1 with the potential of moving him to left tackle once Trent Williams retires. Fuaga measured in at 6-6, 324 pounds at the combine and put up athletic testing numbers that match the movement skills he shows on tape. Some analysts believe he’s best-suited at guard, and the 49ers could use help there as well, but for now he’s an upgrade at RT and San Francisco has to feel good about the find while maintaining a ton of their 2024 draft capital.

Now we’re talking! I’ve harped that offensive line needs addressed and this is the perfect way to do it. Not only do the 49ers solve that pesky issue at right tackle after Mike McGlinchey left, they also get an understudy for Trent Williams in a few years should the latter retire. The 49ers have signed current right tackle Colton McKivitz to a one-year extension, but at $7 million for two years, there’s good indication they want him to compete in training camp.

Fuaga is a beast and can get some stability on the line, even if he might just be moved to guard. There’s a place for him on this offensive line.

Unfortunately, for the best tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft, I can’t say I see the 49ers mortgaging a trade. This trade is an absolute steal, but that’s also the problem, would the Broncos really accept it? It seems like a perfect storm if the 49ers front office can pull it off.

If they could though, there’s offensive line addressed right there, with plenty of ammo to come back into the second round for something else.

What do you think of this mock draft?