5 teams who could take the risk and sign Antonio Brown

2. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers were clearly looking to add a big-name wide receiver this offseason, with rumors of interest in Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens both indicated Brown was interested in going to San Francisco, and tight end George Kittle recruited Brown on social media. But alas, the 49ers missed out on both guys.

San Francisco is carrying $21.256 million in cap space into the new season, so they have room to instantly sign Brown and give him the kind of money and the multi-year deal he’ll be looking for if the Raiders manage to make all his current guarantees evaporate.

The 49ers are heading toward decision time on quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo after the coming season. So giving him a legit No. 1 wide receiver would set him up to succeed at a higher level in what’s lining up as a make-or-break season for all involved. General manager John Lynch needs to put some significant chips in the middle of the table to keep Brown in the Bay Area if he is available.