The Houston Texans added a significant name to the free agent market when they threw defensive end JJ Watt. While a team like San Francisco in need of top-notch help can venture into the five-time First-Team All-Pro, it’s hard to imagine being hit hard by snow.
While Watt is a famous Hall of Fame with three Defensive Player of the Year awards at the waist, his days as a dominant player on the edge are behind him. He turned 32 in March and his 9.0 sacks in 24 games in the last two seasons. Watt has played just two full seasons since 2016 and only 48 of 80 possible games, though he posted 16.0 sacks in a full 2018 season.
That doesn’t mean Watt is a bad player. It can still help a team. However, its price given its resume could see significant inflation. ESPN’s Ed Werder reported as many as 12 teams have been asked about the former star of the jeans.
The problem the 49ers have is where they would play. His most valuable role at this point in his career is probably in the same role that Arik Armstead plays as a vanguard defender in the base packs and the inside runner in the sub packs. San Francisco has a lot of money tied to Armstead and adding another relatively expensive player to that same role would not be a prudent use of the 49ers ’limited boundary space.
If you were looking to add advanced help at a free agency, it will probably be with less expensive players who can try and fit into a specific role to maximize your talent. His trade with DE Jordan Willis last season comes to mind where they used him only as a top runner and didn’t ask him to stop covering or to be a defensive end.
Kerry Hyder Jr. also comes a fantastic year and at that point it would probably be as valuable to the 49ers defense as Watt, but at a lower price. If they spent a bit on free agency, they should try to retain Hyder instead of looking for the bigger name.
With people like Trent Williams, Kyle Juszcyzk and K’Waun Williams about to arrive at the free agency for the 49ers, they will have to spend prudently. A top player cannot be added, but Watt should not be the player he is targeting.