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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Players the Team Needs to Move On from in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) watches the game action against Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) watches the game action against Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) defends during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) defends during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Linebacker Ahmad Brooks

Each year, veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks seems to be on the roster bubble. And each year, Brooks somehow finds a way to stick around.

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Perhaps it’s because the Niners lack any adequate replacement. Aaron Lynch was suspended and banged up in 2016. Eli Harold made some small progress, but that’s it. And Tank Carradine has been nothing short of a disappointment.

Still, Brooks is little more than a situational pass-rusher at this point in his career. He was Pro Football Focus‘ worst-graded edge defender on San Francisco’s roster (46.2), and it’s clear he’ll never be the kind of player who earned a Pro Bowl accolade back in 2013.

There are notable cap considerations too.

Again, the 49ers don’t have to worry too much about clearing cap space. But Brooks’ $8.65 cap hit in 2017 would be best spent elsewhere. Moving him this offseason would free up $7.8 million in cap space — money the Niners could easily use to shore up other areas of weakness along the roster.