Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Among many mandates facing the San Francisco 49ers as they enter an important offseason will be to figure out ways to improve a lackluster pass rush, particularly off the edge.
In 2017, San Francisco pressured quarterbacks at a rate consistent with the league average, but managed only 30 sacks – good for the fifth-fewest in the NFL. That played a role in finishing with the third-worst defense on third down that allowed opponents to convert on 43 percent of attempts.
The 49ers have talented pass rushers along the interior in DeForest Buckner, Solomon Thomas and Arik Armstead, who missed 18 games over the last two seasons and ended both on injured reserve.
Veteran Elvis Dumervil led the team with 6.5 sacks and no other 49er had more than three. The team re-signed pending free agent Cassius Marsh, who logged two sacks and two forced fumbles in six games after being acquired midseason off waivers. Otherwise, the 49ers lack long-term options on the edges and might hope to get more from Marsh, Dumervil, Pita Taumoepenu and Eli Harold if they don’t make a significant investment in a new player or two.
The problem, however, is that options are extremely scarce in free agency after the two top free agents, Demarcus Lawrence and Ezekiel Ansah, were recently given franchise tags.
Here, we’ll rank the five best options in an underwhelming crop of free agent pass rushers the 49ers could target.
5. Trent Murphy, Washington
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Murphy, 27, had nine sacks in 2016, showing plenty of promise as a former second-round pick of recently fired general manager Scot McCloughan. But the ex-Stanford star missed his contract year after suffering a torn ACL in the preseason likely costing him a big second contract this spring.
Washington could decide to bring him back on a short-term deal to see if he can regain his explosiveness. If not, he could hit the open market after offer San Francisco an option for their “Leo” defensive end spot that typically lines up over left tackle. The good news is Murphy’s injury came early in the season and he should be recovered in time to get properly acclimated.
