10 Available Free Agents Who Could Still Help the San Francisco 49ers in 2016
By Peter Panacy
No. 9: Outside Linebacker Calvin Pace
At 35 years old, free-agent outside linebacker Calvin Pace is nowhere near the type of player he was back in 2013 where he registered 10 sacks with the New York Jets.
And, like wide receiver Anquan Boldin, Pace will turn 36 years old this fall. Age is not working in either player’s favor.
Still, the 49ers lack prowess at this position. And their anemic pass rush a year ago — 28 sacks, which ranked 29th in the NFL — needs all the help it can get. And teams can never have too many pass-rushers on a roster.
Pace would never be used by the 49ers in a starting role. Those days are over for him. But with veteran Ahmad Brooks also on the decline, and depth linebackers Corey Lemonier and Eli Harold nowhere close to being standouts, a player like Pace could at least add some different looks.
Calvin Pace, ex-Jets LB, still wants to play, could sign after draft, per source | https://t.co/Y7JrHTr8kl https://t.co/VjwRwukfhY
— Darryl Slater (@DarrylSlater) April 21, 2016
Why He Could Help
Pace wouldn’t need too much of an adjustment coming off the New York Jets’ 3-4 defensive scheme (San Francisco also runs a 3-4). And in certain situations, he may benefit from having younger defensive-front players — like Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Quinton Dial — opening up lanes for him.
Tack on the uptempo offensive approach from head coach Chip Kelly, which tends to put the defense at risk, and inserting a veteran into situational snaps has some merit.
Next: Tight End Owen Daniels