Where will the 49ers supply their pass rush in 2018?
By Peter Panacy
Free Agency & Waiting for Roster Cuts
Nearly all of the top quality edge rushers are signed elsewhere, although the 49ers could go back and re-sign their leading sack producer last year, Elvis Dumervil, who was let go earlier this offseason.
The Niners are reportedly not closing the door on that option. And considering how thin the free-agent market is on remaining EDGE candidates, it wouldn’t be a shock if a deal is reached.
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Yet there is another area of opportunity for San Francisco.
Keep in mind, NFL teams’ offseason rosters reach up to 90 players. Final roster cuts — trimming the regular-season squad down to 53 — take place following the fourth, and final, preseason game ahead of Week 1.
Underperforming rookies and fringe players aren’t always the ones cut either. Case in point, the Niners moved on from veteran defenders Quinton Dial and Ahmad Brooks a year ago, and both subsequently signed on with the Green Bay Packers after being released.
It’s anyone’s guess which players could be made available after preseason Week 4. And while no one should expect top pass-rushing names to be headed to the waiver wire, it’s certainly an option the pass rush-strapped 49ers should explore.
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Unless they’re comfortable ranking towards the bottom of the NFL in sack production again this year.