Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting the 49ers’ biggest moves in NFL free agency

By Peter Panacy

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 14: Free safety Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a defensive stand in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on December 14, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 17-7. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 14: Free safety Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a defensive stand in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field on December 14, 2014 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 17-7. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 13: Shaquil Barrett #48 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 13, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 13: Shaquil Barrett #48 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 13, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

No. 3: EDGE Shaquil Barrett

The Denver Broncos have some awfully good pass-rushers, namely Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.

As a result, 26-year-old EDGE Shaquil Barrett has been pushed to the periphery and will likely seek a location where he can have a bigger role in 2019 and beyond.

Barrett has only 14.0 sacks over five total seasons in Denver, seeing just 15 starts out of a total of 61 games played.

While the pure stats aren’t quite there, Barrett has been productive when given the opportunity. According to Pro Football Focus, Barrett earned a solid 75.9 overall grade in 2018, and his pass-rushing grade was 72.5. Barrett can hold his own against the run, too, which makes him an attractive commodity for a 49ers team in need of pass-rushers with some versatility.

Remember, the Niners had just 37 sacks last season — tied for 22nd among all NFL defenses. Most of those came from the interior, too, which makes the idea of adding a player like Barrett smart.

Plus, Barrett can play an outside linebacker spot. This would give San Francisco some much-needed help at SAM linebacker, where the defense has a deficiency heading into 2019.