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Quick Fixing the 49ers: 5 Bold Roster Moves for the 2017 Offseason

By JD Leidy

Feb 8, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers president Jed York during press conference at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers president Jed York during press conference at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. New York Jets defeat the New England Patriots 26-20 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. New York Jets defeat the New England Patriots 26-20 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports /

Trade Picks for a Pass Rusher (and Sign One Too)

With their current draft picks (10 total in 2017) and the booty garnered from the McCaffrey deal, the 49ers would be in prime position to trade for either a proven edge rusher or another formidable force in the middle.

The Niners struggles to generate backfield pressure are well documented, having finished near the bottom of the pass rushing fold in each of the seasons following the unceremonious loss of the Smiths (Justin and Aldon). Last season, the 49ers tallied a modest 33 sacks, landing them at No. 23 overall.

In order to vault San Francisco back into contention, the front seven needs to take pressure off of their crop of capable, up-and-coming cornerbacks.

To make this move a reality, the Niners will need to identify a trading partner with both the talent to give and the desire to dump salary.

Proven names that could be obtained in such a trade include:

Pass Rushers
Pass Rushers /

And the likely cost for many of these players: one, maybe, two mid to late-round picks.

Of these choices, the Jets seem like the team most fixin’ to horse trade. With three interior linemen who can all get after the passer, and a $7 million cap deficit, New York seems primed to send one of their studs packing.

Assuming New York opts to move the least productive of the bunch (from a sack perspective), the 49ers would end up with DT Sheldon Richardson. Landing Richardson would represent a meaningful upgrade in the middle for the Niners, and it would save Gang Green about $4 million in cap space this year.

But why stop with a lone trade when trying to bolster one of the league’s worst pass rushes? The 49ers have enough cap space to sign a proven free agent sack master too.

Sacks
Sacks /
Oct 23, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Los Angeles Rams tackle Greg Robinson (73) defends against New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during game 16 of the NFL International Series at Twickenham Statdium. The Giants defeated the Rams 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; London, United Kingdom; Los Angeles Rams tackle Greg Robinson (73) defends against New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during game 16 of the NFL International Series at Twickenham Statdium. The Giants defeated the Rams 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Of the available names, Chandler Jones is the most consistent standout. However, the 49ers would be well-served to sign any of these hired guns.

For the sake of discussion, let’s assume they can strike a deal with veteran defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.

With the additions of Sheldon Richardson and Jason Pierre-Paul, and hopefully the rejuvenation of OLB Aaron Lynch, the 49ers would have the makings of a top ten pass rush.

The cost for both Richardson and Pierre-Paul? Nothing too hairy. Likely another $12 million or so.