Ricky Jean-Francois reportedly set to visit 49ers, Redskins later this week

By Brandon C. Williams | Feb 25, 2015

Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Ricky Jean Francois (99) gestures to the crowd against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter in the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Free agent defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois has scheduled visits with the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins later this week.

Ricky Jean-Francois isn’t wasting time in finding a new home after being released by the Indianapolis Colts earlier this week:

Former #Colts DL and now FA Ricky Jean-Francois is visiting the #Redskins & #49ers this week, source says
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 25, 2015

Indy sent Francois packing on Monday after jettisoning themselves from the final two years of a four-year, $22 million deal he signed in 2013. Francois made $5.125 million last season, yet recorded just three sacks. He managed just 5.5 sacks in his two seasons with the Colts, who were unwilling to invest in the remaining $12.25 million they owed him.

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Francois and the 49ers would make something of a complete circle, as it was San Francisco that selected him in the seventh round of the 2009 draft out of The U. He played his first four seasons with the Niners, making a total of five starts in 51 regular season appearances. Francois has a good relationship with new San Fran head coach Jim Tomsula, who coached him during his time there.

The 49ers may be in need of a 3-4 defensive end, as veteran Justin Smith is uncertain to return. Smith had five sacks last season, yet is 35 and is slated to make $6.436 million if the team decides to bring him back for his 15th season in the NFL.

Tomsula mentioned last week that the team will give Smith all the time he needed to make a decision.

Francois also has ties to the Redskins, as it was new Washington general manager Scot McCloughan who drafted him when McCloughan served in the position at San Francisco. The Redskins will be adjusting their defensive line under new defensive coordinator Joe Barry, who will run a 3-4 scheme. Washington will probably let end Jarvis Jenkins go as an unrestricted free agent, while the team will also have to make a call on whether to bring Stephen Bowen back at a cost of $5.4 million.

The Redskins’ possible need for Francois is amplified by the fact the team will most likely let linebacker Brian Orakpo move on after he sustained a third pectoral injury. Strengthening the pass rush will be a top priority for the franchise, which has the fifth overall pick in the draft.

Francois will eventually ink a deal, yet it will be a far cry from the huge payday he received from Indianapolis. While he has shown durability, his production fell way short of expectations. At worst, Francois will head into training camp with a chance to compete for a starting job wherever he signs.

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