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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/bb45a1eb33144694301169afa05f87c20d4a5cb32e4705166251b0f192bace02.jpg)
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.