Shilique

Calhoun

Calhoun was a 2016 third-round pick by the Raiders who has appeared in 51 career games with the Silver and Black and Patriots. He has 2.5 career sacks and will compete for a depth job with the Chiefs this summer.

San Francisco also signed CB Alexander Myres and waived both CB Mark Fields and OL Isaiah Williams. Calhoun has appeared in 51 games across his five-year career – recording just one start – and figures to slot in as a depth piece for the 49ers.

It’s a one-year deal worth $1.5 million that includes a $250,000 signing bonus. The ex-Raider appeared in 15 games last season, playing 266 snaps on defense. The 28-year-old also featured on special teams. Calhoun should be returning to a similar role in 2020.

Fellow linebacker LaTroy Lewis was also shown the door. A third-round pick out of Michigan State, Calhoun saw 172 snaps as a rookie before landing on injured reserve with a season-ending knee injury. The 25-year-old should resurface quickly.

Calhoun was a defensive end at Michigan State, but he will play as the primary backup to OLBs Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin as a rookie. “I’ve been playing a little bit of everything,” Calhoun said. “I’ve been moving around, but I’m mainly at (strongside linebacker) and the LEO.” He will be required to work in space more often as a linebacker, but Calhoun’s primary job will remain getting to the quarterback.

Calhoun got reps with the second-team defense at OTAs/minicamp. He’ll open his career backing up Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin. The Raiders have signed their entire 2016 draft class.

Calhoun (6'4/251) was a three-time first-team All-Big Ten pick, finishing his decorated career with 44 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, and four forced fumbles across 42 starts. He tested out as an average to above-average athlete in Indianapolis, running 4.82 with a 35-inch vertical and 9-foot-7 broad jump. Calhoun has a basketball background and long arms (34 1/4"), and showed an obvious knack for pressuring quarterbacks in college. He still has a long way to go as a run defender, and is an old prospect having already turned 24. Calhoun projects as a high-floor, arguably low-ceiling edge rusher in the pros.

Calhoun hasn’t played since Week 11 after undergoing surgery. A third-round pick, he had low PFF grades on 172 snaps before going down. The Raiders activated Mario Edwards from IR to take Calhoun’s spot.

Third-round rookie Calhoun has played 172 defensive snaps this season, but has received poor marks across the board from Pro Football Focus.

Calhoun looked “noticeably bigger” at OTAs. He had an injury-shortened rookie year, but will be fully healthy for training camp. Calhoun should compete for a starting role on the weak side.