It’s gotten to the point where the miserable 1-7 start for the 49ers has led to looking at salary cap projections for 2017.

Fortunately for them, they should have enough room financially to help rebuild an eroded roster with quality veteran players. San Francisco is shaping up to have as much cap space as any team in the NFL next spring.

Despite general manager Trent Baalke’s recent stubbornness regarding overpaying free agents, his recent misses in the draft might lead to altering his philosophy to bring in more experienced players.

Receiver Alshon Jeffrey, pass-rusher Chandler Jones, deep-threat DeSean Jackson and tight end Martellus Bennett are some quality free agents that come to mind.

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The 49ers also have notable candidates for a release or trade, freeing up even more cap space – some of which will go to players worthy of a contract extensions.

San Francisco currently has $43,141,199 in unspent space under the $155.27-million cap this season. If it remains untouched, it will roll over and combine with 2017’s projected cap space of $47,493,166. All numbers were taken from Overthecap.com.

Projected 2017 cap space: $90,634,365

Candidates to be released or traded:

QB Colin Kaepernick

Cap savings: $16,900,000

The writing is on the wall for Kaepernick and the 49ers amid a turbulent marriage. It would seem both sides are ready to move on after they agreed to a restructured contract that could void the last four years of his six-year extension. While Kaepernick has a player option to remain on the roster in 2017, his play in three starts hasn’t warranted his upcoming $16.9 million dollar salary. Expect the two sides to part ways after the season.

OLB Ahmad Brooks

Cap savings: $7,800,000

Brooks’ release gets talked about every offseason. He’s seemed like a weak link and a loose cannon in recent seasons. But he might be the 49ers’ best player on their struggling front seven so far in 2016. San Francisco should only consider his release if they’re focused on investing heavily in the outside linebacker position through free agency or the draft. It’s safe bet the 49ers will consider parting with the 32-year-old Brooks considering his $7.8-million price tag.

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S Antoine Bethea

Cap savings: $5,750,000

Since earning a Pro-Bowl nod in 2014, Bethea’s level of play has declined. He’s routinely a step slower than his competition, struggling to stop both the run and the pass. The 49ers would be better served with a combination of Eric Reid, Jaquiski Tartt or even Jimmie Ward at safety (Jabrill Peppers, anyone?). Bethea will be 33 before next season starts. His $5.75 million would be better served elsewhere.

WR Torrey Smith

Cap savings: $4,800,000

Smith isn’t a player that should be released. He’s worked to create plays and get open as the offense has struggled around him. However, his five-year, $40 million-dollar contract is outweighing his production in a passing game crippled by poor quarterback play. The 49ers may elect to keep Smith as a deep option for next year’s quarterback. But it wouldn’t be surprising if the 49ers part ways and save the $4.8 million. Or they could try to restructure his deal to a more favorable number.

T Joe Staley

Cap savings: $4,550,000

The last thing a team should do is part with an All-Pro talent tasked with protected a new quarterback’s blindside. Staley is in line for a very friendly cap hit of $4.5 million next season. There is little doubt that he is worth that investment, but amid the team’s ground-up rebuild, the team may elect to go younger and cheaper. Starting right tackle Trent Brown, a seventh-round pick in 2015, would be a prime candidate should the 49ers move on from Staley.

Adjusted projected cap space: $130,434,365

Keep in mind, that gaudy number accounts for the 49ers’ cap space before they pay to bring back any of their own 21 free agents and release all five players above, which isn’t likely to happen.

But it goes to prove how much freedom the team could have to rebuild the roster from the ground up.

The question becomes: Would marquee free agents want to sign with the 49ers?

Will Baalke and CEO Jed York be able to convince talented players with a strong market they should come to the 49ers after struggling so badly during the last two seasons?

Time will tell. But at least we know money won’t be the issue.