Niner Noise
FanSided

2018 NFL free agency: 5 edge rushers 49ers should consider signing

By Florito Maniego

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Besides the team’s issues at cornerback, rushing the quarterback has been another glaring problem for the San Francisco 49ers’ defense. With free agency coming up, Niner Noise looks at five edge rushers the 49ers should consider signing during this offseason.

Since 2015, the 49ers have focused on strengthening their front seven by drafting defensive linemen for three consecutive years. San Francisco used its last three first-round draft picks on Oregon’s Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner and Stanford’s Solomon Thomas.

Although Armstead, Buckner and Thomas have not rushed the quarterback consistently, the three defensive linemen have improved the run defense. The 49ers only allowed 3.8 yards per carry this past season, which ranked seventh best in the league.

This offseason, San Francisco still needs to address the lack of a pass rush either through the draft or free agency. The team tied with the Miami Dolphins at No. 26 with only 30 sacks during the 2017 regular season.

Drafting an edge rusher is a viable option, considering the likes of North Carolina State’s Bradley Chubb and LSU’s Arden Key entering this year’s draft.

However, looking into free agency is a must if the 49ers decide to use their draft picks to answer other positional needs. Especially with San Francisco’s huge salary cap of about $115 million, according to Over the Cap, general manager John Lynch could possibly sign a top-tier free-agent defensive end.

Among the edge rushers testing the market this offseason, here are five pending free agents the 49ers should consider signing.