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NFL free agency: 5 players the 49ers can target to help Jimmy Garoppolo

By Jeremy Wohlfart

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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No. 1: Le’Veon Bell, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers

Yeah, I’m going to get some real interesting comments on this one.

It’s only fair to get the negatives out of the way. Yes, he acted like a prima donna last year and he’s acting like a prima donna now. Yes, the 49ers already have a talented player not exactly impressing people off the field. And yes, running back Le’Veon Bell is going to cost an insane amount of money (for the Jets at least).

But my goodness, is there a better weapon for any quarterback in the NFL?

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He’s a great runner, we all know that. He currently averages 4.3 yards per carry in his career, which it should be noted is dragged down by a 3.5-yard average his rookie season. He’s not had the best season this year, going at 4.0 yards a carry for 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns, but that’s sort of the point. This was a down year (in averages if not for yard and touchdown totals) for him!

More importantly is his role as a receiver. Bell caught 85 passes for 655 yards and two touchdowns, none of which were career best totals. If used correctly, Bell can be the ultimate weapon for Jimmy Garoppolo.

Yes, it’s a risk and a very rich one at that. Yes, he’s not going to be the most popular acquisition in 49er history. But the fact is football players like Bell do not come on the market very often.

Next: Jimmy Garoppolo: 3 bold predictions for 49ers quarterback in 2018

Sometimes you have to grit your teeth and swing for the fences. Bell carries some problems that will turn a lot of people off, but for me the reward is simply far too impressive to the point I’m willing to make the following statement:

The Garoppolo-Bell pairing would be the best QB-RB tandem in 49ers history that did not wear Nos. 16 and 33.

Super Bowls aren’t won without risk, and this is a risk worth taking.