San Francisco 49ers

49ers getting little bang for their bucks from free-agent signees

Published Oct. 14, 2015 2:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

Coach Jim Harbaugh's departure aside, the San Francisco 49ers entered the season with plenty of question marks after watching four players retire and six more leave via free agency.

How the team went about plugging those holes has played a large part in its 1-4 start, including a current four-game losing streak entering Sunday's home matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

As pointed out by Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, the six-player free-agent class brought in by 49ers general manager Trent Baalke hasn't exactly panned out.

Two of those players, defensive lineman Darnell Dockett and cornerback Shareece Wright, never played a down for San Francisco and have been released. In fact, Wright was signed by the Ravens and could face his former teammates this weekend.

Reggie Bush, expected to provide a pass-catching threat out of the backfield, has done next to nothing after suffering a calf strain in the season opener and aggravating the injury in Sunday's loss at the New York Giants. He has four carries for seven yards and one catch.

Speedy wide receiver and ex-Raven Torrey Smith was the highest-priced signee, inking a five-year, $40 million pact to provide a deep threat in the passing game. Though five games, Smith is averaging 20.6 yards on only 11 receptions.

The leaves offensive lineman Erik Pears and special-teamer Nick Bellore as the only players who have reasonably played up to expectations.

Some of #49ers FA signings: Darnell Dockett (released); Shareece Wright (released); Jerome Simpson (suspended); Reggie Bush (13 yards).
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) October 12, 2015