Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 10 Free Agents to Consider Post Franchise-Tag Deadline

By Peter Panacy

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; A general view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet before game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 11
Next
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots defensive lineman Jabaal Sheard (93) against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots defensive lineman Jabaal Sheard (93) against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 7: EDGE Jabaal Sheard

The 49ers need all the pass-rushing help they can get this offseason. Especially considering the team’s best raw pass-rusher, Aaron Lynch, amassed a mere 1.5 sacks last season.

More from SF 49ers Free Agency

San Francisco is switching to a 4-3 under defense under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh in 2017. And a good deal of help will be needed for the right defensive end, or LEO, position in this scheme.

New England Patriots edge rusher Jabaal Sheard may not be a prolific pass-rusher — those are hard to find — but he’s about as steady in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive front. He’s played both at the NFL level, and would be a nice addition to San Francisco’s front seven.

Sheard is balanced against both the run and pass, posting Pro Football Focus grades of 77.6 and 73.1, respectively.

Considering the 49ers were weak in both categories last year, adding Sheard would give Saleh an every-down player capable of solid defense against both approaches.