Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers free agency: Top 5 targets for 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Trumaine Johnson #22 of the Los Angeles Rams attempts to tackle Jeremy Kerley #17 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of their game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Trumaine Johnson #22 of the Los Angeles Rams attempts to tackle Jeremy Kerley #17 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of their game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 03: Paul Posluszny #51 of the Jacksonville Jaguars waits in the team area in the first half of their game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Field on December 3, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 03: Paul Posluszny #51 of the Jacksonville Jaguars waits in the team area in the first half of their game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Field on December 3, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Linebacker Paul Posluszny

The 49ers’ situation with linebacker Reuben Foster mandates general manager John Lynch to make some moves to either find a temporary replacement — in the event of a likely six-game suspension — or a holdover option until San Francisco finds a long-term option.

Should the team part ways with Foster, that is.

At any rate, Lynch already hinted the team would do such this offseason.

One name coming to mind is veteran Jacksonville Jaguars inside linebacker Paul Posluszny. Posluszny worked under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh when the latter was Jacksonville’s linebackers coach from 2014 through 2016. So Posluszny is familiar with the 4-3 Under scheme Saleh is implementing in San Francisco.

At 33 years old, it doesn’t seem like the Jags would offer up a long-term contract for Posluszny. And while his NFL tenure is winding to a close, Posluszny still managed 42 tackles over 11 games for Jacksonville’s top-ranked defense a year ago.

Considering this a stopgap option, Posluszny would be a good get for the Niners this offseason.