49ers Urged To Sign Former No. 1 Overall Pick Jadeveon Clowney

The edge rusher position has been one of the more inactive areas of this quiet offseason for the San Francisco 49ers.

In the NFL Draft, general manager John Lynch added Georgia pass rusher Mykel Williams in the first round, but recent remarks from head coach Kyle Shanahan lead many to believe Williams may start out on the interior defensive line.

That leaves a depth chart that sees a major drop off in production behind star defensive end Nick Bosa. The 49ers' most notable loss at this position was Leonard Floyd, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

Another veteran edge rusher who is on the move this offseason is Jadeveon Clowney, who was recently cut by the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers enter a youthful rebuild on the D-line after drafting Nic Scourton and Princley Umanmielen.

While Clowney, 32, may be getting up there in age, he has maintained steady production and could relieve pressure off of Bosa in San Fran.

He may not be expected to be an every-down lineman, but creating a rotation that features Clowney on crucial downs has proven to be successful and could maximize his current strengths.

Last year he registered 5.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 15 quarterback hits in 14 games.

With a higher hurry, hit and pressure rate than Floyd last season, Clowney should be looked at as a replacement that could easily turn into an upgrade with increased snaps.

The two are also the same age. Injuries haven't been too much of a problem for the South Carolina product, as he has played at least 10 games each of the last four seasons.

The former No. 1 overall pick in 2014 is entering his 12th season in the NFL and will play for his seventh team if he is signed by someone new next season. The veteran has spent time with the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens before Carolina.

The Panthers, who reportedly considered trading the three-time Pro Bowler during draft week, released him to free up $8 million he was due for this season, making him a free agent.

“I think I played well for Carolina (last) year, considering the circumstances that was unfolded for me. I played with a bunch of guys that was hurt this past year. And I ended up playing extremely well for them," Clowney said to The Athletic.

"So it is what it is. I can play the game. I can play football. There are 31 other teams. I just hope another team gives me that opportunity so I can prove myself again. I feel like I can do that.”

If the 49ers are interested in bringing in veteran leadership for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, San Francisco could be one of those 31 other teams that pursues Clowney's services.