The 49ers desperately need a starting defensive end opposite Nick Bosa.
The only other defensive ends on the roster currently are Drake Jackson and Robert Beal Jr., and neither one is a starter. So the 49ers have to sign at least one. They probably have to draft one, too.
Here are three defensive ends the 49ers can choose from when free agency starts on Wednesday.
1. Danielle Hunter
Hunter is a premier edge rusher in the NFL who is 29-years old, he's excellent against the run and he recorded 16.5 sacks last season. He's the total package. If the 49ers want to make a giant splash and sign the best defensive end currently on the free-agent market, they can sign Hunter to a multi-year deal worth roughly $20 million per season. And he'd be worth every penny. But the 49ers don't have much cap space at the moment, and they'd have to restructure lots of players' contracts to acquire Hunter, and I doubt they'll be that aggressive.
2. Jonathan Greenard
Greenard is a 26-year-old edge rusher who had 12.5 sacks last season playing in the Wide 9 defense for Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, which means Greenard fits the 49ers scheme. He's probably looking for a five-year deal worth roughly $13 million per season, which might be a bit too rich for the 49ers.
3. Leonard Floyd
Floyd is a 31-year-old edge rusher who signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Bills last year and then recorded 10.5 sacks for them. So he's still good even though he's on the down side of his career. If the 49ers want him, they probably can sign him to a one- or two-year deal worth roughly $8 million per year. That seems right in their price range.
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