Free Agents 49ers Should Pursue After 2023 NFL Draft
The San Francisco 49ers used most of their nine 2023 NFL draft picks on positions of need.
However, there was one roster spot that was left untouched in the draft that could be filled by one of the remaining free agents.
San Francisco opted not to land more pass-rushing help for Joey Bosa. That leaves Clelin Ferrell and Kerry Hyder to back up Bosa and Drake Jackson.
The 49ers could take a look at one of the many veteran pass-rushers still on the free-agent market to add a bit more help for their defensive superstar.
Kyle Shanahan's team should be mostly set on offense, but it never hurts to bring in one more skill position player to compete for snaps in training camp and potentially make the 53-man roster.
Jadeveon Clowney
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San Francisco could make a decent-sized splash by adding Jadeveon Clowney to its pass-rushing mix.
Clowney is no longer an every-down player, and that actually makes him a better fit for the 49ers.
The NFC West side needs to add a bit more depth behind Bosa. Trusting Ferrell to come up with sacks could be a difficult ask based on his time with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Clowney only produced two sacks in 12 games for the Cleveland Browns last season, but he did have nine sacks in 2021.
Last season's lack of production should lead to Clowney accepting some type of one-year minimum deal, and if he has that realistic salary demand, the 49ers should at least try him out to round out its pass-rushing unit.b
Leonard Floyd
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The even bigger splash on the pass-rushing market would be for the 49ers to land Leonard Floyd.
The 49ers know all about Floyd from his previous three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, where he totaled 29 sacks in 50 games.
Floyd has the sack output that the 49ers are looking for, but playing time might be an issue between the two parties.
Floyd is probably looking for a starting job because of his production with the Rams. The 49ers would not want to stunt Jackson's growth opposite Bosa. Jackson had six quarterback hits and three sacks in his rookie campaign in 2022.
As the Philadelphia Eagles proved last season, one team can't have too much defensive depth. They rotated a mix of young stars and veterans and came away with the NFL's highest sack total.
Floyd is the best pass-rushing option available who could elevate San Francisco's defense to another level.
San Francisco could consider a Floyd deal at some point in the offseason because it may have to rely on its defense to win games with its quarterback situation in flux.
Julio Jones
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San Francisco could use a bit more help at wide receiver for whoever is under center in 2023.
Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings are the clear top three wideouts on the depth chart, but after that, the picture is unclear at best.
Ray-Ray McCloud could be used in some offensive packages, but he may be more valuable on special teams because of his returning qualities.
That leaves a mix of young, unproven players and veterans looking to make an impact in training camp to fight for at least one roster spot.
Julio Jones could walk on to the 49ers roster and make it at 100 percent health. That's the issue any team has to get over with the former Atlanta Falcons star.
Jones played in 29 games over the last three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans and Atlanta.
Jones only caught 24 of his 43 targets for 299 receiving yards last year, and those numbers should limit his free-agent options.
San Francisco does not need Jones to be a star, but if he can be a key possession wide receiver who finds the end zone on a few occasions, he could work in the team's system on an inexpensive contract.
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