No. 5: DE Calais Campbell
For years, defensive end Calais Campbell has been a respected run stopper, and that continues as the 30-year-old pass rusher has PFF’s third highest free agency grade in 2017 (90.1). That grade is top for free agent defensive linemen, and Campbell is certainly going to generate interest due to his on field production.
The 49ers shouldn’t be one of those suitors. At 4 years for $33,226,620 million ($8.3 million annually), the number is far too high for someone will be 34 years old by the end of the deal. It’s a contract that would come back to haunt the 49ers. The value isn’t there for someone at that age, and factoring in the youth movement of the rebuild, the fit isn’t right as well.
The recent signing of defensive end Earl Mitchell also is a key contributing factor. Why throw an additional $33.2 million into the mix when you’ve already committed $16 million to that position?
Essentially, the 49ers would be playing a total of a little over $12 million annually to two players to play one position — that’s illogical.