5 free agents who can make SF 49ers Super Bowl contenders in 2021
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Free-Agent Target No. 2: EDGE Justin Houston
The SF 49ers are hoping they get a fully healthy tandem of pass-rushers back in 2021, Nick Bosa and Dee Ford, although the latter’s multiyear injury history could also relegate him to the ranks of the cap-casualty pile.
That part remains to be seen, although it doesn’t eliminate the need for supplementary pass-rushers, even if they’re past their prime.
One such player who falls into this equation is 31-year-old EDGE Justin Houston, who is still enjoying a productive career with the Indianapolis Colts and already has 4.5 sacks despite playing only 62 percent of defensive snaps this year.
Transfer those numbers over to the Niners, and Houston would be No. 2 on San Francisco’s stat-getter sheet behind fellow depth EDGE Kerry Hyder.
Hyder is a re-sign priority, too, although he doesn’t come with quite the accolade sheet as Houston’s. And sometimes, a player’s existing reputation will be more than enough to ensure his prowess is felt on the field, even though the SF 49ers would be asking Houston to fill a complementary role behind Bosa and possibly Ford next season.
Veterans on the wrong side of 30 years old also don’t command the same kind of money younger players do, so it’s not likely Houston would receive anything close to the $11.5 annual average he received from the Colts last season.
If the Niners want to get their pass rush back to an elite level, targeting Houston makes a lot of sense.