Niner Noise
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5 free agents the San Francisco 49ers need to avoid in 2019

By Timothy L. Miller

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: Ndamukong Suh #93 and Ethan Westbrooks #95 of the Los Angeles Rams look on during warms ups prior to their NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 21: Ndamukong Suh #93 and Ethan Westbrooks #95 of the Los Angeles Rams look on during warms ups prior to their NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 15: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 15, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 15: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 15, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Clay Matthews Jr.

Clay Matthews is a former All-Pro linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. He can play inside or outside. Matthews has won a Super Bowl and has the playoff experience a young 49ers defense could profit from.

If John Lynch takes anything from Green Bay, let’s hope its a nice aged cheddar. Not an aged linebacker.

Matthews has seen a precipitous decline in both range and productivity since his last Pro Bowl season in 2015. From 2009 through 2014, Matthews was one of the better all-around linebackers in the league. He was a competent run-stopper and had four seasons with double-digit sacks. Turning 33 years old this May, Matthews high energy do-it-all days are behind him.

Next. 5 free agents the San Francisco 49ers should target this offseason. dark

The kind of dollars a big name like Matthews will command, even if short term, isn’t worth it to a team that is probably at least one year away from serious contention.