Niner Noise
FanSided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next

Bruce Irvin: Outside Linebacker – 2015 Team: Seattle Seahawks

Irvin has been a popular choice on many 49ers offseason wish lists. The 49ers pass rush was anemic in 2015 with only 28 sacks. Only outside linebacker Aaron Lynch had any moderate success in rushing the QB.

Irvin is the second-best pass rusher available in free agency, with the aforementioned Miller likely to get the Broncos franchise tag.

Irvin is likely to be available this offseason. The Seahawks already declined his 2016 option, so it wouldn’t make any sense now for them to go out and place the franchise tag on him. Despite him saying he wants to stay as a Seahawk, does he really want to stay behind Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett, Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright in the defensive rotation?

Irvin’s statistics don’t lie. In his four seasons he has 22 sacks, 96 tackles, seven passes defended and four forced fumbles. When you study his highlights his speed and power just burst through the screen, and his talent in getting to the QB is undeniable.

Irvin is only 28, carries a current inexpensive $2,335,550 cap number and the 49ers can make money talk here by offering him a large contract and the guarantee that he becomes the team’s instant No. 1 pass-rusher. There has to be some motivation on his part to prove the Seahawks wrong by not taking his contract option. And what better way could he do that? By going to their biggest division rival!

Not only is Irvin a superior pass rusher, he is also very good against the run. Per Pro Football Focus, Irvin ranked 15th out of the 97 qualified linebackers with a plus-78.0 grade (on a zero to 100 scale). His run defense graded a quality plus-82.2, and his pass coverage graded at a solid plus-74.8.

Pass rush is one of the biggest 49ers offseason needs, and Irvin would be a great fit to help fill this hole. Additionally, weakening the Seahawks should always be on the wish list!

Next: Marvin Jones