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2018 NFL free agency: Predicting which players the 49ers re-sign or let walk

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Carlos Hyde /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 05: Brock Coyle #50 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after Eric Reid #35 intercepted a pass intended for Jermaine Gresham #84 of the Arizona Cardinals in the end zone during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 05: Brock Coyle #50 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after Eric Reid #35 intercepted a pass intended for Jermaine Gresham #84 of the Arizona Cardinals in the end zone during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Linebacker Brock Coyle and Defensive End Tank Carradine

It’s a shame 2013 second-round draftee, defensive end Tank Carradine, suffered a serious ankle injury back in Week 3. He had been playing arguably the best football of his career, and Carradine also seemed to be a seamless fit in coordinator Robert Saleh’s 4-3 Under scheme.

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    • Carradine returned from short-term IR in Week 11, finishing the year with 14 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Known for his prolific pass-rushing efforts at Florida State, Carradine was actually a better run defender than pass-rusher in 2017, per Pro Football Focus, earning a respectable 82.6 grade in this category.

    Do the Niners give him another chance? Or will Carradine try to lock onto a more prominent job this season, knowing San Francisco already has a crowded defensive line?

    If the 49ers have a tough question with Carradine, bringing linebacker Brock Coyle back in 2018 shouldn’t be a difficult choice.

    Coyle, a hand-picked addition from Saleh, ended up assuming MIKE linebacker roles after the team released the veteran, NaVorro Bowman, midseason. More than just a special teams ace, San Francisco appeared to like what it had in Coyle. And while it’s not exactly ideal to keep him in a starting role, his job as a backup and continued special teams contributor seems vital and worthy enough.

    Prediction: The 49ers let Tank Carradine test the free-agent market, ensuring Brock Coyle returns on a two-year re-sign deal.