Niner Noise
FanSided

5 lesser-known free agents the 49ers should target in 2018

By Peter Panacy

General manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
General manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 1: Defensive end Marcus Smith #97 of the Seattle Seahawks causes Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Indianapolis Colts to fumble in the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on October 1, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks beat the Indianapolis Colts 46-18. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 1: Defensive end Marcus Smith #97 of the Seattle Seahawks causes Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Indianapolis Colts to fumble in the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on October 1, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks beat the Indianapolis Colts 46-18. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

No. 4: EDGE Marcus Smith, Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks EDGE Marcus Smith never lived up to the hype he had when the Philadelphia Eagles drafted him at No. 26 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. Since then, he’s been little more than a situational pass-rusher and could easily be finding himself somewhere else in 2018.

Smith wouldn’t be a prolific upgrade to help the Niners pass rush. True, this group is struggling and the 49ers need additional edge rushers this offseason.

If San Francisco targets Smith, whom Pro Football Focus states is actually better against the run, there would be less pressure on finding a long-term upgrade over SAM linebacker Eli Harold.

And if stats are your thing, Smith has 2.5 sacks this season compared to Harold’s 2.0. And one of those was a “gimme” sack back in Week 14.

Smith is merely additional depth but still carries the pedigree of being a first-round pick. He’ll never live up to that potential, but it’s worth exploring the possibility of putting him into a different situation where he won’t be asked to do more than just provide backup.