San Francisco 49ers: 5 Free agents still available before training camp

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San Francisco 49ers, Jadeveon Clowney (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE

Can you imagine if the San Francisco 49ers added Jadeveon Clowney to their defensive line rotation? The three-time Pro Bowler and former first-overall pick spent last season with the Seattle Seahawks after being drafted by the Houston Texans in 2014. Still just 27 years old, Clowney is in the midst of his athletic prime.

The 49ers’ greatest strength on their entire roster is unquestionably the defensive line. Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas all hail as former first-round draft selections. Even after trading away Deforest Buckner to the Colts, general manager John Lynch used the first-round pick he acquired from Indianapolis to select Buckner’s successor, Javon Kinlaw.

Currently, San Fran has five former first-rounders along the defensive line. Adding Clowney to the rotation would only improve the team, adding strength in numbers to a unit that already boasts the NFL’s best pass-rush rotation.

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Imagine having to designate pass protectors to Bosa, Clowney, Armstead and Ford all at once. Or having to block Bosa on one play, only to be assigned to Clowney the play after. Double-teams would be non-existent. If the 49ers want to put their roster over the top and enter full ‘win-now’ mode, they’ll sign Clowney.