The San Francisco 49ers are looking to upgrade their starting linebacker lineup. The team is expected to pursue impending free agents like C.J. Mosley of the Baltimore Ravens, Anthony Barr of the Minnesota Vikings, and Kwon Alexander of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to a report from NBC Sports Bay Area.
Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times first reported on Monday morning that the 49ers are expected to pursue Alexander. The Buccaneers, however, would love to have him back, according to Peter Schrager of NFL Network.
The 49ers have restructured the contract of 2017 pickup Malcolm Smith, who was a candidate to be released at his old salary. He signed a five-year deal on March 9, 2017 worth up to $26.5 million with $11.5 million guaranteed.
Both Mosley and Barr are 26 years old and are each a four-time Pro Bowl selection.
The Ravens made Mosley, who played college football at Alabama, the No. 17 overall selection in 2014. He registered 105 combined tackles, a sack, five passes defensed, and an interception through 15 starts with the Ravens in 2018. Mosley has recorded 579 combined tackles, 8.5 sacks, 35 passes defensed, nine interceptions, a touchdown, and six forced fumbles through his five NFL seasons.
The Vikings made Barr, who played college football at UCLA, the No. 9 overall selection in 2014. He registered 55 combined tackles, three sacks, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble through 13 starts with the Vikings in 2018. Barr has recorded 338 combined tackles, 13.5 sacks, 22 passes defensed, an interception, and seven forced fumbles through his five NFL seasons.