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Where will the 49ers supply their pass rush in 2018?

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 11: Gerald Hodges #51 and Glenn Dorsey #90 of the San Francisco 49ers sack Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 11: Gerald Hodges #51 and Glenn Dorsey #90 of the San Francisco 49ers sack Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 20: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after he sacked Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on November 20, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The pass rush, or lack of it, could be a pressing issue for the San Francisco 49ers in 2018. From what we know, how will the Niners go about generating it this season?

For all intents and purposes, the San Francisco 49ers will likely have a difficult time generating a pass rush this upcoming season.

Quality outside pass-rushers are the second most important aspect of any football team behind a quarterback. If your team has one, your defense is well off. But if you don’t have an elite-level pass-rusher, you’re looking for one.

Finding one can be tough, though. The best rarely hit free agency, which explains why the Niners had to settle for oft-injured and seldom-used EDGE Jeremiah Attaochu in free agency.

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But general manager John Lynch didn’t exactly target some of the big names in the 2018 NFL Draft either.

“Those guys are difficult to find, first and foremost,” Lynch later admitted, via Eric Branch of SFGate.com. “We felt like there were a couple guys who had an opportunity to be special there. You know, just where we were (in the draft), we didn’t have an opportunity or chose not to take them.”

So how will the 49ers — tied for 26th last year in sacks (30) — generate a quality pass rush this season?

It’s a tough proposition, one that likely involves on-roster options.

Let’s start there.