The San Francisco 49ers approach free agency likely in need of help in an area of the team that has long since been considered a strength.
San Francisco is poised to lose a substantial amount of depth on the defensive line with several defensive tackles and edge rushers set to enter unrestricted free agency.
Pushed up against the cap, the 49ers aren't in a great position to do much about that, but there are several potential edge options on the open market who could be had at an affordable price with potential to fill the void.
One player on that list is the epitome of unfulfilled potential. After analysing the potential fits of Dorance Armstrong and Josh Uche, let's look at another possible signing at the position for the 49ers.
Vikings EDGE Marcus Davenport is a free agent option for the 49ers
Davenport heads back to the open market after a disappointing season with the Minnesota Vikings that was curtailed by injury.
The former first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints had two sacks in four games. He suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 6 and was placed on injured reserve. The fact that he did not return is one of several red flags for Davenport's potential suitors.
He had five offseason surgeries in 2022, three on his shoulder and two on his hand, and went on to endure a campaign in which he registered just a half sack.
A player with Davenport's injury history and lack of production over the last two years would not appear on the surface to be somebody the 49ers should pursue. However, his 2022 sack total was deceiving, with the more granular numbers indicating Davenport, still only 27, could be a difference maker.
Pass-rushing prowess
Indeed, Davenport had 34 pressures in his final season with the Saints, posting a pass rush win rate of 17.2 percent that was 14th among edge defenders, per Pro Football Focus.
He was not able to maintain that kind of efficiency in winning his rushes in his brief time in Minnesota, but his 2022 performance in that metric, along with the nine sacks he had in 2021, speak to a player for whom the biggest challenges are consistency and staying healthy.
Athleticism and talent are not an issue. Davenport tested superbly coming out in 2018, ticking the explosiveness box that is paramount for the 49ers when assessing pass rushers. He posted a 10-yard split of 1.62 seconds and a broad jump of 10ft 4in at the Combine, with his workout giving Davenport an A to Z Sports athletic composite score of 93.1%. His speed score was 97.4% and his burst score 88.7%.
Those testing numbers have translated to the field. For all his injuries, Davenport is an extremely explosive athlete who gets off the ball well, can convert to speed power and has an impressive arsenal of moves in his locker.
Additionally, Davenport has shown the ability to win rushing from the inside as well as the edge, crucial versatility for a 49ers team that has yet to effectively replace Charles Omenihu after losing him in free agency last offseason.
A low opportunity cost
Perhaps the most compelling element of Davenport being on the market for the 49ers is the potential opportunity cost.
A to Z Sports' contract projection has Davenport receiving a one-year, $3.5 million deal with $2.75 million guaranteed. He would carry a $1.9 million cap hit.
While the 49ers may hope to move money around to get themselves in position to make a big free agency splash, the reality is that they are also going to need to make some more affordable moves on the margins to give their championship roster the depth it requires for another arduous Super Bowl run.
Davenport is a low-risk, high-reward signing that fits the bill. As mentioned in the Armstrong and Uche articles, the 49ers have a defensive line coach in Kris Kocurek who is renowned for getting the best out of pass rushers who have underperformed elsewhere.
The intriguing thing is that Davenport hasn't really underperformed, he primarily has just had rotten luck with injuries. Taking a chance on him would be a gamble but, playing for Kocurek and alongside the surrounding talent the 49ers have among their starters up front, the possible rewards for giving Davenport a shot are massive.
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