He can earn up to another $1.5 million in incentives, as well. Taylor missed the majority of the 2019 season with a torn biceps injury, and struggled in the two games in which he did play. Playing on the final year of his contract, he's at risk of losing the starting left guard job to Elgton Jenkins.

Taylor's play has been in a slow decline since his breakout 2015 season, finishing outside of the top 20 players at his position in PFF grades in each of the three subsequent seasons. 2019 second-rounder Elgton Jenkins filled in admirably for Taylor for the remainder of the 2019 season, earning positive grades from PFF, especially in pass protection. It's no guarantee that Taylor is the starter come Week 1.

Butt has had one of the most injury-plagued careers in recent memory. Since entering the league as a fifth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, he has played in just 3 games, missing the entirety of his rookie season while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in his final season of college ball, most of the 2018 season with another torn ACL, and the entirety of the 2019 season after undergoing a reportedly 'minor' knee operation.

If Butt is healthy for the 2020 season, he'll find himself on a suddenly-crowded tight end depth chart. 2019 first-round pick Noah Fant flashed immense athleticism in his rookie season, and the team just drafted Albert Okwuegbunam in the fourth round of this year's draft. He's a longshot for fantasy-relevant production, but was an intriguing prospect coming out of Michigan.

After establishing himself as one of the elite at his position, Kittle and his agent are seeking a unique contract for the top tier tight end. "I don't care about the tight end market," said Kittle's agent when asked about a potential extension. "I'm being paid to do a George Kittle deal."

Expect Kittle to remain one of the 49ers' top pass catching options regardless what new contract he receives. For the upcoming season, numberFire's models project Kittle to produce 90.8 receptions for 1,059.6 yards and 8.0 touchdowns on 128.8 targets.

Fulton was due $14 million with no guarantees over the next two seasons and is now due $5 million guaranteed this season and $3 million non-guaranteed in 2021. It's a move that creates security for Fulton while providing Houston with some cap relief. A former sixth-round selection by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014, Fulton moved to Houston in 2018 and played in 17 games for the Texans last season. He allowed just 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit last season.

Fulton was Pro Football Focus' 29th ranked guard in pass protection last season, earning a grade of 73.9. His run blocking mark of 43.9 ranked 120th in the league.

Rapoport stated that Dee Ford described the surgery as "a more extensive clean up than he kind of realized" but Rapoport was told by another source that the procedure was "relatively minor". He also said that from what he can tell, Ford is in a much better place health-wise than he was last year, and should be ready for the start of the season. The 29-year-old played in 14 games for the 49ers last season, recording 8 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, and 22 hurries. He was part of a San Francisco defense that finished last season ranked 3rd overall by numberFire's power rankings. A return to full health would bolster a unit that is already one of the league's best.

Ford was Pro Football Focus' 18th ranked edge last season, earning a grade of 84.4. numberFire's projections expect Ford to record 17.4 tackles, 5.1 sacks, and 1.5 fumbles this season.