49ers figure to have 30 million in cap space

The 49ers spent nearly 89.5 percent of their 2011 salary cap allotment, and the full remaining balance has been rolled over to the team's 2012 cap, according to NFL documents.The 49ers finished last season approximately 12.6 million under the NFL's cap, including incentives earned. Currently, the 49ers have 103.737 million devoted to the 2012 cap before free agency.The league-wide salary cap was 120.375 million last year. The 2012 cap has yet to be set, but it is expected to be only slightly higher than a year ago.Including the carryover from 2011, the 49ers figure to have more than 30 million in cap space for 2012 before free agency, rookie signings and the addition of the practice squad.
The 49ers have 19 unsigned players among those who finished the season on the roster. That list includes quarterback Alex Smith, safety Dashon Goldson, cornerback Carlos Rogers, receivers Joshua Morgan and Ted Ginn, guard Adam Snyder, and outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks.Teams have sole negotiating rights with their own free agents until March 13 (1 p.m.), when the free-agent signing period begins.The 49ers could look for help at wide receiver. Among the most notable scheduled free agents around the league are Vincent Jackson (San Diego), Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City), Marques Colston (New Orleans) and DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia).RELATED: Maiocco -- 49ers' free-agent options at wide receiver
Each NFL team can restrict the movement of one of its scheduled free agents with the application of the franchise tag. The 49ers' most logical candidate for the franchise tag is Goldson, whom the 49ers could retain with a one-year, 6.2 million tender.
Linebacker Patrick Willis, selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five NFL seasons, accounts for the 49ers' highest cap number for 2012 at 17.7 million.Unsigned for 2011
CB Tramaine Brock (EFA)
LB Ahmad Brooks
LB Blake Costanzo
WR Ted Ginn
S Dashon Goldson
LB Tavares Gooden
LB Larry Grant (RFA)
WR Joshua Morgan
TE Justin Peelle
RG Chilo Rachal
CB Carlos Rogers
FB Moran Norris
QB Alex Smith
S Reggie Smith
OL Adam Snyder
DB C.J. Spillman (RFA)
WR Brett Swain (RFA)
DT Will Tukuafu (EFA)
S Madieu Williams