4 players 49ers should explore trading early in 2022

49ers Trade Candidate No. 3: EDGE Samson Ebukam

File this under the category of offseason free-agent pickups that never panned out for the 49ers.

EDGE Samson Ebukam, whom John Lynch signed to a two-year $12 million deal during the offseason, was intended to provide some of that supplementary pass rush to aid fellow EDGE Nick Bosa, hoping to garner the four to five sacks he appeared to be on pace to record his previous two years with the Los Angeles Rams.

Ebukam was a target because of his durability, never having missed a game in his four-year career up to that point, yet the onfield production has been less than desirable. Over 12 games played this season, six of them starts, Ebukam has notched just one sack, 24 tackles and four quarterback hits. As of late, he’s seen his snap count decreased in favor of fellow reserve EDGE Arden Key, who is second behind Bosa with 3.5 sacks on the year.

Still, Ebukam is just 26 years old, and the Niners may be able to sell on his previous value, even though they’d likely command nothing more than a day-three draft pick in return.

In doing so, though, San Francisco would clear $6.5 million in cap space, money that could be spent on re-signing Key, against $1.75 million in dead money.

If Key is more of a key to the 49ers’ future pass-rush plans over Ebukam, this would be the right route to take.