5 former San Francisco 49ers who could come out of retirement to play

Former 49ers No. 2: Defensive End Justin Smith

He might not have received quite the love and adoration as players like Joe Staley, Patrick Willis and fellow linebacker NaVorro Bowman. But one could make the argument defensive end Justin Smith was the 49ers MVP between the years of 2009 through 2013.

Smith was the reason San Francisco could deploy a 3-4 defense and make it work, as “The Cowboy” frequently would eat up two, sometimes three blockers in order to free up the team’s other pass-rushers for more favorable one-on-one matchups.

And it worked to great success, too.

During his seven-year career with the Niners, Smith made five Pro Bowls and was named a first-team All-Pro once. It was the case where the sheer stats — Smith never reached double-digit sacks once in his career — didn’t need to do the justice. Anyone who watched Smith play knew he was dominant.

San Francisco’s defensive line entering 2020 remains dominant. Yet it was forced to undergo a significant shift during the offseason, trading away Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and replacing him with the first-round rookie, Javon Kinlaw.

Kinlaw has huge shoes to fill. But that void would be made much easier if the Niners could somehow convince a player like Smith to return in good form.