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NFL free agency: 5 under-the-radar free agents 49ers should consider to add depth

By Florito Maniego

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 06: A view of a San Francisco 49ers helmet during warms up prior to their NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on October 6, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 06: A view of a San Francisco 49ers helmet during warms up prior to their NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on October 6, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 03: Kellen Moore #17 of the Dallas Cowboys looks for an open receiver Trent Murphy #93 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 03: Kellen Moore #17 of the Dallas Cowboys looks for an open receiver Trent Murphy #93 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

No. 5: LB Trent Murphy

Trent Murphy brings instant versatility with his ability to play either as an outside linebacker or EDGE.

During his first three seasons with the Washington Redskins, Murphy was a serviceable tackler and pass rusher. His 2016 campaign was his best season in which he recorded nine sacks, despite not starting any game:

Trent Murphy Defense & Fumbles Table
Games Def Interceptions Fumbles Sacks & Tackles
Year Age Tm Pos No. G GS Int Yds TD Lng PD FF Fmb FR Yds TD Sk Tkl Ast Sfty AV
2014 24 WAS ROLB 93 15 8 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 2.5 22 11 4
2015 25 WAS LB 93 16 15 1 0 2 0 0 3.5 12 20 7
2016 26 WAS 93 16 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 1 7 0 9.0 27 19 2
Career 47 23 0 0 0 0 2 6 0 4 7 0 15.0 61 50 13

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/11/2018.

Murphy would be a solid addition as a situational pass-rusher, especially for the 49ers. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Murphy also has the prototypical body frame who can help strengthen any defensive front.

One major issue, however, is Murphy’s season-ending ACL and MCL injury in 2017. Therefore, there is some uncertainty whether he will return to his old form and regain his explosiveness.

By any means, Murphy will unlikely start for San Francisco if he were to sign with the team. But, Murphy can still be an effective backup especially for certain packages on defense.