Should the 49ers Look to Sign a Veteran Edge Rusher?
The 49ers solidified the interior of the defensive line when they signed Javon Hargrave. A dominant presence returns there since the 49ers traded DeForest Buckner to the Colts.
As great of a boost as Hargrave provides, the 49ers are looking scarce on the edge. Drake Jackson is expected to take on bigger role next season with the hope that he can strengthen his physique. That was the qualm that Kyle Shanahan had with him, which is why they ended up making Jackson inactive toward the end of the season. Still, Jackson can't do it all and it would be unfair to hold such a high standard on him. There are still plenty of free agents out there that the 49ers can sign and strengthen themselves.
So, should the 49ers look to sign a veteran edge rusher?
They definitely should, and I'm sure that they have an idea on who they want to add. Right now, the 49ers are just waiting for the market to continue to die down. The longer a free agent is left out there, the cheaper they will be. Given the lack of salary cap space ($3.8 million, fifth worst) the 49ers currently have, they need to bring someone on a cheap deal. I'm sure they will end up restructuring another one of their cornerstone players deals though just to give them breathing room in case they sign another free agent. Someone like Christian McCaffrey would be a likely candidate.
As for candidates they can sign, big name rushers like a Yannick Ngaouke are off the table. There is absolutely no way he is going to except anything cheap from any team. Signing him would also be waving the white flag on Drake Jackson, which the 49ers are not going to do like they did with Javon Kinlaw after signing Javon Hargrave. The edge rusher they are looking for has to be okay with being backup, cheap, and even capable of stepping in a larger role should Jackson not rise to the occasion next season.
Clelin Ferrell could be that player since the defensive line coach Kris Kocurek is able to squeeze every ounce of potential out of his players. But Ferrell likes the bend and finesse to be a lethal pass rusher. Even with a magician like Kocurek, I am shorting what Ferrell can be on the edge. Someone like Bud Dupree, Leonard Floyd, or Carlos Dunlap would do wonders. They're all on the back end of their careers, so a sweet deal is most likely done for each of them. With the 49ers, these players are granted an opportunity to flourish amongst another dominant lineman and winning. Again, they have to be okay with knowing that Jackson is the guy unless his performance doesn't back it up.
Plus, the 49ers are big on competition. Whoever they can bring in can give that element to Jackson and even prove helpful with another veteran presence. You can never have enough pass rushers in this league. Adding a veteran edge gives the 49ers depth and a contingency for Jackson. It makes too much sense to do it, but the 49ers are in no rush. They have the next five months to figure it out, while also making the available free agents cheaper.
