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NFL Free Agency: 10 Players the San Francisco 49ers Should Target in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Nov 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) reacts after making a sack during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) reacts after making a sack during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 30, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Mitchell Schwartz (72) stands on the field during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Mitchell Schwartz (72) stands on the field during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Right Tackle Mitchell Schwartz

Statistics

San Francisco’s offensive line was perhaps the No. 1 liability out of a slew of problems encountered in 2015. And especially along the right side.

Second-year pro Trent Brown may wind up being a nice find from the draft last year and could end up starting at right tackle in 2016. And, given some of his Twitter overtones, retired right tackle Anthony Davis could wind up back in San Francisco this year.

But the team still has plenty of question marks along the O-line. Left guard Alex Boone is set to hit free agency, and he’ll be a top target for a number of teams.

Still, even if Davis returns, San Francisco may want to consider sliding the former first-round pick over to right guard. This would allow fellow guard Andrew Tiller to occupy the left guard spot while creating an open competition for right tackle.

And it’s a void that should be filled by Cleveland Browns right tackle Mitchell Schwartz. Schwartz had a phenomenal season for a bad Browns team and graded out positively in both run blocking and pass protection, per Pro Football Focus.

He won’t come cheap though.

Still, the 49ers have ample cap room to fix one of their most significant problems from the 2015 season. And Schwartz would be an immediate upgrade to help solidify this questionable unit.

Next: ILB Jerrell Freeman