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#2 Kwon Alexander to San Francisco 49ers (4-year $54 million contract)
For a third year running, the San Francisco 49ers have made a big splash during the offseason. In 2017 it was full-back Kyle Juszczyk for $21 million, in 2018 it was running-back Jerrick Mckinnon for $30 million and now in 2019 its linebacker Kwon Alexander from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a reported $54 million.
A Pro Bowler in the 2017 NFL season, Kwon is being seen as a long-term starter at the linebacker position by the 49ers front office after their rather sour experience with 2017 draft's first-round selection Reuben Foster who was cut last season due to off-field problems.
Kwon is a hard-hitting physical linebacker who has 380 tackles, 7 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, and 6 interceptions in 46 games since being drafted by the Buccaneers in 2015.
He has missed 18 games in total over the past 4 seasons, 14 due to injury and 4 due to suspension. Kwon is currently undergoing treatment for a torn ACL he suffered in October last season.
A major concern with this deal is Kwon's ACL injury, an injury that has hampered the potential of many players in the past and might be the reason that $27 million in his contract is only semi-guaranteed. Age and long-term vision seem to have been one of the primary reasons for the 49ers picking Kwon, over veterans like Zach Brown who are expected to hit the market soon.
Kwon Alexander is a talented linebacker who is at his best when upfront and getting into the backfield. His performances in recent seasons do scream about his potential but have not justified on him being the highest-paid inside linebacker in the league. 49ers will have their fingers crossed on this one.
