PFF Recommends 49ers to Sign Free Agent Linebacker

Signing this free agent linebacker could boost the 49ers in this needed area.
Sep 22, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) reacts as he takes the field against the Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Sep 22, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) reacts as he takes the field against the Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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Free agency will be the San Francisco 49ers' first step in improving the team.

There are plenty of positions for them to choose from, but they cannot spend heavily. Extensions for Brock Purdy and possibly George Kittle are on the horizon. So, the 49ers will need to consider free agents who won't break the bank.

Pro Football Focus recommends the 49ers sign Pittsburgh Steelers free agent linebacker Elandon Roberts. Here is what PFF had to say about why the 49ers should target him in free agency.

"After failing to make the playoffs, the 49ers will encounter a bit of a crossroads during the 2025 offseason. While dealing with Brock Purdy’s probable extension, San Francisco will need potential reinforcements at tackle and cornerback. Don’t discount adding a linebacker or two through free agency, either. Roberts produced a career-high 77.2 overall PFF grade this season, buoyed by his 90.4 PFF run-defense grade — the sixth-best mark among defenders with 400 or more snaps. Coverage has been more of a problem for Roberts, but the 30-year-old could help solidify a linebacking group that ranked only 26th in PFF run-defense grade, even with Fred Warner."

Bradley Locker

So, Roberts is coming off a career year. Despite that, it sounds like he won't be a costly signing since he isn't a solid pass-coverage linebacker. That is usually how linebackers can break the bank. Roberts would fit exactly what the 49ers need and that is to boost their run defense.

They were atrocious against the run in 2024. They must do everything they can to ensure it is never that poor again. Roberts won't drastically fix them, but he can improve it by acting as the first building block. He will strictly be an early down base package linebacker.

Once the 49ers go into their nickel package, he will come off of the field. Signing Roberts is a sound idea. However, free agency could drive up his cost and render him expensive to the 49ers. There is also Dee Winters who the 49ers like and could look to take the next step in 2025.

Still, Roberts is a player the 49ers should consider based on cost and versus his impact with Winters.

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Jose Luis Sanchez III
JOSE LUIS SANCHEZ III

Jose Luis Sanchez III has covered the San Francisco 49ers daily for FanNation since 2019. He started off as the lead publisher for FanNation's All49ers, then switched positions to become the Deputy Editor in 2020. Sanchez writes, edits, and produces videos daily for All49ers. He also co-hosts a show on YouTube with All49ers lead publisher Grant Cohn weekly. Prior to FanNation, Sanchez started his writing career back in 2016 for the school newspaper at Skyline college where he covered all sports team in the Bay Area. Following that from 2017 to 2019, he found a role as a contributor for FanSided's news desk along with their site's Just Blog Baby covering the Las Vegas Raiders and Golden Gate Sports every professional Bay Area sports team. Atop all of that, he was able to graduate with a Bachelors degree in Communication Studies at San Francisco State University in 2020. Sanchez is committed to ensuring he delivers transparent analysis and straightforward opinions that resonates with readers to get them thinking.