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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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Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots defensive lineman Jabaal Sheard (93) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots defensive lineman Jabaal Sheard (93) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: EDGE Jabaal Sheard

2016 Cap Hit: $6,812,500

Again, the pass rush. Notice a trend here?

The New England Patriots figured turning edge defender Jabaal Sheard into a situational pass-rusher was the way to go. He’s thriving in that role and already has two sacks to his credit in 2016. He had eight in the same stead with New England a year ago.

At 6-foot-2 and 254 pounds, Sheard isn’t equipped to play a traditional 3-4 defensive end. But he can fit a mold like current Niners edge defender Tank Carradine.

If Carradine’s 2016 campaign doesn’t go as well as hoped, landing free-agent-to-be Sheard might be a nice option.

Sheard already has 33 sacks to his name and will be 28 years old next year — the prime of his career.