Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL free agency: Which edge rushers are left for the 49ers to target?

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Alex Okafor #57 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 6, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Alex Okafor #57 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 6, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 15: Alex Okafor #57 of the New Orleans Saints forces a fumble on Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 15, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 15: Alex Okafor #57 of the New Orleans Saints forces a fumble on Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 15, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Alex Okafor

2017 Team: New Orleans Saints

At 6-foot-5 and 264 pounds, EDGE Alex Okafor might be slightly oversized for a natural LEO role in Robert Saleh’s defense.

But production and skill set are ultimately what matters, and Okafor was playing very well in 2017 before suffering a torn Achilles injury with the Saints after 10 games played. In total last year, he had 4.5 sacks and had a respectable 8.4 pass-rush productivity mark, per Pro Football Focus.

Plus it’s hard to overlook his eight-sack performance with the Arizona Cardinals back in 2014.

At 27 years old, a top-shape Okafor would be entering the prime of his career. The injury could put his status for training camp in doubt, although it also would indicate his contractual value would be pretty low.

If the 49ers are looking for a low-risk, high-reward signing, Okafor could be the primary target.