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The 49ers should make a play for Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, so eventually, he can make plays for them. So far, the scuttlebutt is the 49ers are uninterested in Revis, the league’s preeminent shutdown corner, who’s recovering from last year’s ACL tear and wants to escape from New York.

Speculation has it that an interested team could get Revis for a second-round choice. That’s a tremendously cheap price for a player of rare ability. Not only that, Revis might have no other choice than to play out the last year of his contract, which will pay him $6 million next year. Teams that are interested might not be willing to provide the $16 million to 17 million per Revis is seeking in a multi-year because he is coming off major knee surgery.

So Revis could be a rent-a-player for the 49ers in 2013 with the option, of course, of signing him long term. Rent-a-Revis could be perfect for this team that desperately needed a defensive boost at the end of last year following the triceps tear by defensive end Justin Smith and shoulder malady that compromised Aldon Smith.

No one can assume that Justin, at 34 years old, is going to come back and be the same player he was previously after his off-season triceps surgery. Additionally, without Justin, a flaw was discovered in Aldon Smith’s game. While Aldon can be unstoppable with a bull rush, he’s not a Derrick Thomas type of pass rusher who is going to beat a tackle around the end. Aldon relies on the leverage he gets with his long arms and his ability to function in the small spaces created by the Justin Smith-driven stunts.

Aldon might be different with two functioning shoulders, but undoubtedly, he needs to expand his pass-rush repertoire.

Revis provides great insurance for a team that might not be as powerful in the front seven as they were last year. His signing would instantly make the 49ers a top Super Bowl contender, and who knows how long the 49ers’ Super Bowl window will stay open?

Also, the 49ers have the ability now to afford Revis, particularly at his $6 million price tag. That might not be the case after next season which is their first opportunity to re-sign quarterback Colin Kaepernick. If he continues to develop, he might demand Joe Flacco-like money, which would probably preclude the team from signing a $17-million per year cornerback.

The timing is right, the price is right and the trade could be right. Revis has already expressed a desire to be a 49er, and there’s historical precedent here. The 49ers signed Deion Sanders for one year in 1994, which was the last time they won a Super Bowl. Why not make that deal if you can?