Why OLB Melvin Ingram is a Must Have for the 49ers in Free Agency
By Ken Wang
The San Francisco 49ers are not one player away from be competitive again in the NFC West. That being said, signing outside linebacker Melvin Ingram would be a huge step towards respectability.
The San Francisco 49ers have more than $80 million in cap space with free agency just around the corner. GM John Lynch has his work cut out for him to fix a roster that has had too little talent at too many positions.
Having 10 draft picks will go a long way, but Lynch will have to bring in some impact free agents as well. With money to spend, here’s why outside linebacker Melvin Ingram is a must have for the 49ers in free agency.
He’s a Perfect Fit for the 49ers’ 4-3 Scheme
There has been a lot of talk about how the 49ers current personnel fits into new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s 4-3 scheme. Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee does an excellent job breaking down the various positions within this new defense.
He points out that perhaps the most important position out of the front seven is the LEO defensive end.
The LEO is usually the team’s best pass-rusher. They are often aligned wider than usual on the line, which allows for better angles of attack. It also gives them the chance to play in space, making the most of their athleticism.
Ingram would fit perfectly.
It took a few years for him to fully blossom. He started only two games in his rookie season but showed flashes of potential. He totaled 18 quarterback pressures, good enough for second most on the Chargers. In 2013, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament during an offseason practice. That’s a season-ending injury for most players.
He returned in just five months.
After another injury shortened season in 2014, he turned into a wrecking ball on the edge. In his first three seasons, Ingram started 12 games, recording four forced fumbles and six sacks. From 2015 to 2016, he started every single game, forcing eight fumbles and increasing his sack total to 18.5. He also added 98 total tackles and deflected 11 passes for good measure.
According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked sixth among edge rushers last season in quarterback pressures with 72. Ingram was more than just a one-trick pony. He earned an above-league-average grade against the run. He also played well in coverage, allowing just 6.8 yards per reception.
Saleh has coached his fair share of elite edge rushers. Both Cliff Avril and Chris Clemons excelled in the LEO role in Seattle. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue set a Jacksonville Jaguars rookie record with eight sacks last year.
If signed, Ingram will be placed in a role in which he can continue to improve and dominate.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have the Money to Spend
Spotrac.com projects Ingram to command a contract averaging $17 million a year. That would fall in line with what Oliver Vernon received last year from the New York Giants, and what Justin Houston got from the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015.
Signing Ingram won’t be cheap.
Luckily for the current regime, they are inheriting a boatload of cap space. The 49ers have the second-most cap space available behind only the Cleveland Browns. The Browns would be a logical competitor for Ingram’s services, but they’ll likely select Texas A&M standout Myles Garrett with the first overall pick.
If the Chargers let Ingram test the open market, many teams will throw money his way.
None will be able to come close to what the 49ers have to offer.
The 49ers will have the most money to spend, and while they have many other holes to fill, spending a big chunk on it on Ingram is a must.
He’s Fits the 49ers’ Rebuild Time Frame
The 49ers are in a tough spot because they are still a few years from competing for the NFC West crown. Signing any player that’s already a few years into their prime, or towards the end of it, wouldn’t make any sense. That’s what makes certain quarterback options less desirable.
On the bright side, Ingram turns 28 in April this year, and is just starting to unlock his potential. Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner, future defensive stalwarts, are only 23 and 22 respectively.
Newly signed defensive tackle Earl Mitchell would be the veteran of the bunch as he turns 30 in September.
Ingram would be a key addition to a defense that is trying to improve in the present and for the future.
Conclusion
Ingram is a must-have free agent for a multitude of reasons. He would fit perfectly into their new defensive scheme, he’s well within budget and is young enough to fit the organization’s rebuilding time frame.
Next: Five Additional Players the 49ers Should Target in Free Agency
Add Ingram to Armstead, Bucker and Mitchell and the 49ers will have a defensive front to be reckoned with for years to come.