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2016 NFL free agency: Where will Alex Boone go?

By Parker Hurley

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws the ball in front of guard Alex Boone (75) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws the ball in front of guard Alex Boone (75) during the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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In 2016 NFL free agency, Alex Boone will almost surely test the market. Where will he go?

The San Fransisco 49ers would like to retain Alex Boone, but they are far away from being a winner. Boone may be the best guard on the market in the upcoming free agency, and he will have his pick from many teams with Super Bowl ambitions.

Boone missed the last three games of this season, in what was described as a minor MCL strain. Many can point to Boone seeing his pay day and an escape from a sinking San Fransisco team as an added factor in the late season shutdown, so Boone definitely has his eyes on free agency.

Vitals

Age: 28
Notable: 59 career starts
Pro Bowls: 2 (2013,2015)
All-Pro Teams: 0

Contract comparison

If Brandon Brooks re-signs with the Houston Texans, which is pretty likely, Boone will be a hot commodity. It will make him the clear cut top guard on the market, and we will see who can intrigue Boone as he seems willing to listen. He will also more than likely command at least top ten guard money. The fifth-highest paid guard in the league in 2016 will be Orlando Franklin, making $7.3 million.

Boone will make the decision as to whether to make something around $8 million a year if not more, or if he will take a deal with a contender, in which he would still make six or seven million per year. Just last year Franklin received a five-year deal for $36 million, which makes you assume Boone could sign a five year deal for anywhere from 30-40 million.

Estimate: 5 years/40 million/18 million guaranteed

Will he stay?

With the Niners lack of success, why would you break the bank on a 28-year-old guard? They should be looking to play their youngest players and hope they prove worthy of an extension, rather than tie the cap to veterans. The Niners shouldn’t be looking to win a bidding war, and Boone can find more money on a better team elsewhere.

If he leaves?

The Minnesota Vikings are a team that should be competitive next year, and have a decent amount of cap room. Their offensive line is the clear weakness of the team, and if any contender were to over pay for a guy like Boone, it should be the Vikings.

The New York Giants are a team with a lot of cap room and a lot of holes. Guard is one of them, and they have a young core of lineman so adding a veteran presence would be really good for them. With an offense that has Eli Manning, the offensive line should be the focus to build up, and Boone may see Eli as a chance to have success next year with his help.

It will test his commitment to the Niners, but the Seahawks could be a team looking to add Boone. They have been going all in the last few offseasons and appear to know they need to take advantage of this window. They have a decent amount of cap space, and their priority will be shoring up the offensive line. If they were to re-sign Russell Okung, and sign Boone, they would certainly be considered offseason winners.

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