4 former SF 49ers players who could return in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: EDGE Aldon Smith, Dallas Cowboys
Like Mike Iupati, EDGE Aldon Smith was also part of the mass departures from the Niners in 2015, albeit for very different reasons.
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His off-field woes seemingly cleaned up, Smith’s return to NFL action with the Dallas Cowboys was pretty storybook. While Dallas’ defense was downright awful in 2020, Smith still managed to register five sacks after essentially missing the previous four years while being suspended by the league.
Smith is nothing like the prolific pass-rusher he was back when he was with San Francisco early in his career. But the SF 49ers aren’t looking for a prominent pass-rushing threat.
No, they already have one in EDGE Nick Bosa. But with fellow EDGE Dee Ford dealing with serious back injuries and his 2021 status still in doubt, the Niners are going to look for additional pass-rushing depth.
Particularly with other rushers like Kerry Hyder and Ronald Blair hitting the free-agent market.
Next. 5 NFC West free agents 49ers can purge in 2021. dark
If San Francisco brings back Smith on a team-friendly deal, it’ll be a full-circle story for Smith, reuniting with the team that initially gave him his first chance.