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5 Free Agents the 49ers Would Regret Signing in 2017

By Logan Stanley

Jul 28, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) walks onto the field prior to morning walkthrough on day one of training camp at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2016; Richmond, VA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) walks onto the field prior to morning walkthrough on day one of training camp at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) catches a pass in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson (83) catches a pass in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: WR Vincent Jackson

For a stretch of four seasons, wide receiver Vincent Jackson was one of the more serviceable players in the league — four straight seasons of 1,000+ yards receiving and three straight season of at least 5 TD’s. Factoring in his reputation as a high character guy –Jackson was Tampa Bay’s 2016 Man of the Year— why wouldn’t the 49ers go after a guy like himself?

First, Jackson’s play has steadily dropped off the past two seasons, substantially, too. 716 receiving yards and 3 TD’s over a two-year period is not sufficent. This can most definitely be attributed to the fact that Jackson has only played in 15 games the last two seasons. Which brings me to the next point: health.

Clearly, Jackson has yet to reach 100% health since 2014. That’s nearly three years removed from then, and Jackson now sits at age 34. Father Time is not on his side of the fight. What indicates that Jackson will get past his injury issues the older he gets? It just doesn’t fit to sign in the middle of a rebuild a 34-year-old receiving who has battling knee injuries.

You see the name and get excited, but in reality, it would be a regret for the 49ers to sign Jackson.

Next: How a Pocket Passer Can Save the San Francisco 49ers

With the recent news that San Francisco is going to release wide receiver Torrey Smith, the new cap room would sit at $98.2 million, per Rob Lowder of The Niners Wire. That stash of cash must bring a new level of scrutiny, as the franchise can be really ushered into a new, exciting era of football by signing the right players, or, it can accelerate the destruction of the franchise by signing players who don’t fit and the player-friendly contracts devour cap space.