Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking the top 5 free-agent targets in 2019

By Peter Panacy

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 06: Bryce Callahan #37 of the Chicago Bears looks toward the bench in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field on December 6, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 06: Bryce Callahan #37 of the Chicago Bears looks toward the bench in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field on December 6, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after sacking Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after sacking Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Linebacker Anthony Barr

San Francisco essentially has just one starting-caliber linebacker heading into 2019, Fred Warner. Perennial backup and special teams ace, Elijah Lee, flashed some promise last season. But he’s better suited to a reserve role. And fellow linebacker Malcolm Smith has been a disappointment since signing a lucrative free-agent deal in 2017.

Smith could be a cap casualty this offseason, too. Even if the 49ers retain his services, it would be wise for John Lynch to consider a strong addition.

A player to watch here is Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr. A four-time Pro Bowler, Barr is only 26 years old and just hitting the prime of his career. His coverage skills haven’t been quite as good as they were a few years ago. But they’d be an upgrade over what Smith has to offer. And the Niners already have a good coverage linebacker in Warner anyway.

The Vikings are going to have some cap issues this offseason, which makes re-signing Barr something of a difficulty. And it’s yet another aspect that could help the 49ers lure in his services, as described previously, here.

Barr’s coverage abilities might be waning. But he’s an effective pass-rusher. Aligned as a SAM backer in a 4-3 Under base, Barr would get some additional pass-rushing duties off the strong side. Those would play to his strengths.