It’s no secret that the number one priority this offseason for the San Francisco 49ers is to find a player who can pressure the quarterback off the edge. General manager John Lynch and company will undoubtedly address this need in the draft, but will also be looking for help in free agency as well.
While big names like DeMarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney, Dee Ford and Frank Clark are unlikely to actually hit the open market, there should still be a considerable amount of talent available in their absence. Here’s a look at five edge rushers the 49ers should consider in free agency.
Dante Fowler
Fowler hasn’t come close to living up to expectations after he was taken with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. An ACL injury cost him all of his rookie campaign, and he’s been inconsistent since, logging 16 sacks in 47 career games. Knowing he wasn’t in their future plans, the Jaguars traded him to the Rams in October.
Despite not living up to the hype, Fowler still has time to reach the next level. He’ll be 25-years old in 2019 and showed promise during his brief stint in Los Angeles, registering 29 pressures and 3.5 sacks in 11 games including the playoffs.
With so much football still ahead for Fowler, he could settle in as a foundational piece if he finds the right situation. He has experience in the 4-3 system San Francisco runs, so it’s not hard to see a fit.
Anthony Barr
Pro Football Focus graded Barr as the top linebacker in terms of pass rush productivity in 2018. His pass rush skills, along with already having four Pro Bowl selections under his belt, will make Barr an expensive commodity this offseason.
While Barr may not be a true edge defender, the 49ers are in need a of SAM linebacker, and Barr can fill that role on base downs and move down as a rusher in passing situations. He had 23.5 total sacks his junior and senior seasons at UCLA, and the best may be yet to come if a team like San Francisco commits to him more as a pass rusher than the Minnesota Vikings did.
Brandon Graham
If there’s a red flag with Graham, it might be his age. The nine-year veteran will be 31-years old next season, and that could give some teams pause. However, that might not be the case for the 49ers. They’ve shown interest in Graham in the past and may be willing to pay more on a short-term, team-friendly deal.
Graham’s a big reason why the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive line has been so dominant recently. He’s registered 213 pressures the past three seasons. He’s also forced 12 fumbles since 2014, and that kind of disruption would be welcome to a San Francisco defense that struggles to take the ball away.
Ezekiel Ansah
An injury-riddled 2018 campaign leaves Ansah in an uncertain spot. Will he be paid as the player who registered 44 sacks from 2013-2017, or a reclamation project who has to prove that he can stay healthy?
While his actual market remains to be seen, it makes sense that the 49ers would have some level of interest here. Vice president of player personnel Martin Mayhew drafted Ansah while he was the Lions general manager, and new defensive line coach Kris Kocurek coached him for five seasons in Detroit.
Trey Flowers
A former fourth-round pick, Flowers has flourished in the New England Patriots’ system and finished 2018 tied for third among edge defenders with an overall grade of 90.4 according to Pro Football Focus.
While his sack numbers don’t jump off the page – he’s had 7, 6.5 and 7.5 respectively the last three seasons – Flowers is consistent across the board. He finished third overall among edge defenders against the run (88.5) and had the 13th highest pass rushing grade (80.1) last season.
Flowers could very well end up being the most sought after pass rusher available, and, similar to Barr, will command top dollar. The 49ers have been reluctant to hand out those kind of deals in the past. Flowers’ ability to consistently disrupt offenses against the run and pass could tempt them to break that trend.
