J.J. Watt released by Texans: 5 NFL teams that should sign former All-Pro
J.J. Watt free agency landing spot No. 4: San Francisco 49ers
It’s hard to describe what happened in 2020 with the San Francisco 49ers as anything other than the season from hell. The team was absolutely devastated by injuries, seeing Nick Bosa and Dee Ford go down with season-ending ailments while numerous others were afflicted as well.
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When they get back healthy — and especially if they are able to upgrade at quarterback this offseason — the 49ers are clearly a team that is capable of contending. San Francisco represented the NFC in Super Bowl LIV and they were not far from upending the Chiefs in that game. Kyle Shanahan is a near unparalleled offensive mind and the defense is absolutely rife with talent.
Having said that, the 49ers were forced to trade DeForest Buckner last offseason to avoid some severe salary cap trouble, which does leave a bit of a hole on the defensive line. They could use someone with the exact inside-out versatility that Watt could offer them to help get that unit back to the dominant level they displayed throughout the 2019 season, especially when healthy.
The 49ers enter the offseason looking at a projected $13.4 million in salary cap space and they could potentially be freeing up more money if they are able to part ways with Jimmy Garoppolo, unless they land Deshaun Watson, of course. In any case, San Francisco would greatly benefit from adding J.J. Watt to an already terrifying defense.