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NFL Free Agency: Predicting Best Moves for the 49ers in 2017

By Logan Stanley

Jan 1, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball as New York Giants defensive end Owa Odighizuwa (58) chases in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Giants won 19-10. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball as New York Giants defensive end Owa Odighizuwa (58) chases in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Giants won 19-10. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) against New England Patriots offensive lineman Cameron Fleming (71) 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; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) against New England Patriots offensive lineman Cameron Fleming (71) at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Linebacker Chandler Jones

PFF Grade: 87.4

Spotrac: 5 years, $81,337,578 million — $16.2 million annually

Sensing a theme here are we?

Let’s face it, the 49ers defense was a laughingstock for the 2016 NFL season. I mean, the rushing defense was almost one of the worst in NFL history — third worst, according to El Dorado. The 49ers have attempted to solidify their run defense with their selections of defensive linemen in consecutive drafts (Erik Armstead in 2015 and DeForest Buckner in 2016), but ultimately have yet to see any substantive success yielded on the field.

Unrestricted free-agent linebacker Chandler Jones is at the top of this year’s free-agent class for rushers — graded out at 87.4, Jones is second only to linebacker Melvin Ingram. Jones is an impact player; from 2015-2016, Jones’ production compares with J.J. Watt’s, Justin Houston’s and Oliver Vernon’s prior to signing their deals. Signing Jones would be help take off some of the burden Bowman carries, and at the ripe age of 26, Jones is on the right side of the Father Time.

Cap room left: $34,300,000 million