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2016 Free Agency: Offseason Wish List for San Francisco 49ers

By Trevor Irvine

Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ian Williams: Defensive Tackle – 2015 Team: San Francisco 49ers

Williams took massive strides in 2015, and became one of the defense’s most important players. After being a backup during his career, he took over after the retirement of Justin Smith and the release of Ray McDonald to become one of the elite nose tackles in the NFL.

Williams became the full-time starter, and more than tripled his career best in tackles (45), more than quadrupled his assist total (20), and had his first forced fumble. Per Pro Football Focus, Williams ranked 18th out of 123 qualified interior defenders in the league, with a plus-85.6 (on a zero to 100 scale).

He was outstanding against the run (plus-89.0) and above-average in pass rush (plus-71.1) and coverage (plus-60.5). He got better each week, and his December ranked right up with the best defensive tackles in the league, per Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus:

Williams has superior power and speed that make him a handful for opposing linemen. Here is an example of the power of Williams:

Per overthecap.com, Williams has a mere $1,600,000 salary going into 2016. There is no way that he should be allowed to leave the building. He is quickly becoming an elite defender, and he deserves a fair pay raise with the salary cap room of the team, can be easily absorbed.

At only 26, Williams has a lot of good years left. Lock him up, please.

Next: Jerrell Freeman