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NFL Free Agency: 5 Players the 49ers Should Target in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Datone Jones (95) before a NFC Divisional round playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Datone Jones (95) before a NFC Divisional round playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: DE Datone Jones

2016 Cap Hit: $2,455,282

OK, so the Niners can get a bit frugal here.

Former 2013 first-round pick Datone Jones hasn’t exactly emerged as an every-down player for the Green Bay Packers. And he wouldn’t occupy the same sort of role with San Francisco either.

The Niners figure to slot up-and-coming defensive ends DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead to start for the foreseeable future. There’s no reason to change that. But a Chip Kelly-led team needs adequate defensive reserves.

San Francisco needs a pass rush too. Jones can provide that.

While not jumping off the charts, Jones does have eight career sacks to his credit — three of them coming last season. He’s good enough against the run too, posting a 76.6 mark, according to Pro Football Focus.