The Los Angeles Chargers have placed the franchise tag on pass rushing specialist Melvin Ingram. The linebacker will not be part of free agency at the start of the new league year on March 9.


ESPN and Pro Football Focus had recommended Ingram to the San Francisco 49ers in their list of one free agent – unrestricted or restricted – each NFL team should sign. Below is what the feature had to say about Ingram and the 49ers.


"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.

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