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San Francisco 49ers: Previewing 2019 free-agent market at edge rusher

By Peter Panacy

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 29: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers passes under pressure from Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half on October 29, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 29: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers passes under pressure from Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half on October 29, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 12: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts tosses the ball after being sacked by Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter of the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 12: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts tosses the ball after being sacked by Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter of the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Justin Houston, Kansas City Chiefs

Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs ranked first in total sacks in 2018 (52), but their defense was still terrible. And with just under $27 million in available cap space this offseason, the Chiefs will have to think long and hard about whether or not they want to re-sign pending free agents Dee Ford and Justin Houston.

Technically, Houston is still under contract with Kansas City. But as FanSided’s Matt Verderame pointed out, the Chiefs would likely have to part ways with Houston if they want to pin their future on Ford:

"Should the Chiefs tag Ford, it probably means the end of Justin Houston, who has a $21 million cap hit. Houston could be released for a $14 million savings in 2019. While a restructured deal could bring that number down, Houston would likely opt for free agency where he can get multiple guaranteed years."

Houston, 30 years old, would be the likeliest of the two to hit the market over the younger Ford (27 years old), should that happen. The former managed nine-plus sacks for Kansas City in each of the last two seasons, and he’s still capable of flashing efforts from his 22-sack All-Pro campaign back in 2014.

While he’s lost a step or two since those heyday years, there’s little doubt he could provide an impact. Remember, he was responsible for a forced strip-sack fumble against quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo back in Week 3 last year. And that kind of edge-rushing prowess should help a 49ers team that finished dead last in defensive takeaways in 2018.