With most of the teams that wanted a wide receiver already signing one in free agency, it’s beginning to look more likely that the Steelers will be able to hold onto restricted free agent Mike Wallace. But don’t rule out the 49ers making a run at him.
Peter King writes in his Monday Morning Quarterback column at SI.com that the 49ers may consider making an offer for Wallace, especially if they end up losing out on Peyton Manning and failing to re-sign Alex Smith, in which case they’d be saving money at quarterback — and desperate to help their passing game at another position.
The Steelers would have the right to match any offer that the 49ers made Wallace, and if the Steelers don’t match they’d get the 30th overall pick from the 49ers. So Wallace won’t come cheaply. And it may sound strange that the 49ers, who have already signed Randy Moss and Mario Manningham in free agency, would bring in Wallace as well.
But Wallace is a 25-year-old who may be the best deep threat in the NFL. Players like that aren’t available often, and if the 49ers have the cap room for him, signing him would make sense.