5 cheap free-agent targets for 49ers this offseason
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Linebacker Mack Wilson (Patriots)
The Niners could use some linebacker depth as well as someone who could potentially be a full-time starter early in 2024, thanks to the serious Achilles tear suffered by Dre Greenlaw in the Super Bowl last February.
Even if Greenlaw is fully recovered in time for Week 1, San Francisco is still poised to lose reserves like Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Oren Burks to free agency.
New England Patriots linebacker Mack Wilson makes a good deal of sense.
Wilson, who had 37 tackles and two forced fumbles for the Pats last year, has been a spot starter for much of his career since 2019 when he broke into the league with the Cleveland Browns, and that's precisely what the 49ers would need here.
Not only could Wilson help absorb Greenlaw's potential absence at the start of the regular season, but he could also fill in as a base-down strong-side starter when the Niners deploy three linebackers within the front seven.