3 Impending 49ers Free Agents With the Most to Prove in 2020

General manager John Lynch worked some magic to keep most of the San Francisco 49ers' Super Bowl roster intact for the 2020 season. A few tough decisions had to be made, but these pale in comparison to those the Niners will have to make in 2021 with an already pressured salary cap.

These three impending free agents need to prove their worth if they want a new contract with the team or a lucrative one elsewhere, so keep an eye out for them in 2020.

3. Solomon Thomas

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Solomon Thomas / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Thomas, who was selected in the 2017 draft, will have to work very hard to earn himself a new contract with the team in 2021. The 49ers already declined his fifth-year option, so it's safe to say he'll be out of San Fran after this season. However, he'll be auditioning for a multi-year contract from one of the other 29 teams, so he'll have to improve upon his 93 tackles and 6 sacks he's registered across his first three seasons.

2. Tevin Coleman

San Francisco 49ers running back Tevin Coleman in Super Bowl LIV / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Coleman has a connection with head coach Kyle Shannahan from their days with the Atlanta Falcons. The dual-threat back rushed 137 times for 544 yards and six touchdowns while sharing reps with Raheem Mostert and Matt Breida. The bad news is that he saw his receiving numbers take a huge hit, registering career worsts since his rookie season. But now with Breida out of the picture and Jerick McKinnon still not having logged a snap with the team since signing before the 2018 season, the time is now for Coleman to make an impact and prove he's worth another multi-year deal.

1. George Kittle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Now, we know what you're thinking: what does George Kittle have to prove? Well, if he wants a record-breaking contract for a tight end, he simply needs to keep it fresh in everyone's minds that he's the best in the game. A down year won't doom his future, but it'll certainly shave millions off his next multi-year deal. He's recorded at least 85 receptions and 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons, so he'll need to make sure that production doesn't significantly dip if he wants to be paid like the game's best.