Pro Football Focus helped ESPN to take a look at one free agent – unrestricted or restricted – that each of the 32 NFL teams should sign this offseason.
For the San Francisco 49ers, the ESPN feature attacked the linebacker position, suggesting that the team sign Melvin Ingram of the Los Angeles Chargers. Below is what Pro Football Focus had to say about what the talented linebacker might bring to San Francisco.
"Arguably the top pass-rusher in this free-agent class, San Diego's Ingram won't come cheaply. The good news for the 49ers is that they have the second-most cap space of any NFL team. Ingram's 72 total pressures were the sixth most of any edge player in the NFL last season and almost twice that of 49ers starter Ahmad Brooks (38). Ingram also had a top-15 grade against the run at the position and would upgrade an all-time bad unit."
Ingram ranked sixth among edge defenders in 2016 according to Pro Football Focus. He was their ninth-best pass rusher and their 12th best run defender. Ingram was a first-round draft pick by the Chargers in 2012. He started all 32 games for the Chargers over the past two seasons and amassed 125 tackles, 18.5 sacks, and 11 passes defended.
As far as edge defenders go, the 49ers currently have linebackers Ahmad Brooks, Tank Carradine, Eli Harold, and Aaron Lynch. All four are signed for the 2017 season. The team also claimed Zach Moore off of waivers in late December.
Of course, the 49ers will be moving to a 4-3 defense under new defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. The system shift will alter the roles for the team's group of linebackers. The 49ers hope to replicate what the rival Seattle Seahawks do on defense. Saleh is very familiar with that system, having worked within it while with Seattle and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As for the rest of the NFC West, the ESPN feature suggests TE Martellus Bennett for the Arizona Cardinals, WR Alshon Jeffery for the Los Angeles Rams, and OT Rick Wagner for the Seahawks.