Jan 14, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ricky Jean Francois (95) celebrates after the game against the New Orleans Saints in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Candlestick Park. San Francisco defeated New Orleans 36-32. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois is one of the most coveted free agents this offseason. And as suitors emerge as free agency gets underway he said he plans on taking visits to potential team’s club facilities before signing with a team.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted out a list of teams that are interested in him:

“#49ers DT Ricky Jean-Francois will take visits before making a choice, per source. Teams interested: #Eagles, #Colts, #Saints,#Titans“

Jean-Francois is a young player who is just entering his prime. He turned 26 this past November and is a versatile utility defensive lineman.

“The San Francisco 49ers still want to re-sign promising 26-year-old defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois, but it won’t be easy for the Niners to retain the man who provided some key pass rushing down the stretch,” said Joe Soriano in an earlier story.

But after the Philadelphia Eagles released Cullen Jenkins they’d surely make a push to sign Rick Jean-Francois to fill the void in the middle of their defensive line.

“Last season, he showed some real prowess against the run and that’s actually his strong suit,” Soriano said. “He did show potential as a pass rusher as well with two sacks last season that came at the end of the year, but he still needs to show more consistency in that regard.”

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles recently released two quality interior pass rushers in Mike Patterson and Cullen Jenkins, so the Eagles showing interest in Ricky Jean-Francois does make sense. The former LSU product is expected to receive interest from more teams, and while Rappoport’s comment was more off-hand, it does make sense and serves to show that Jean-Francois is a desirable commodity.

It also serves to show that the 49ers might not be able to see the development of their young DL all the way through. Last season, he showed some real prowess against the run and that’s actually his strong suit. He did show potential as a pass rusher as well with two sacks last season that came at the end of the year, but he still needs to show more consistency in that regard.

Jean-Francois has the versatility to play everywhere on the defensive line and is also scheme-versatile, and the fact that Jerel Worthy’s knee injury has cast his availability in 2013 in doubt makes him a logical choice for the Green Bay Packers. The 49ers were once expected to let him walk, but then Adam Caplan tweeted that the Niners were interested in locking him up.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter for more NFL updates @SorianoJoe.