Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking Top 5 Needs in 2016 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

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December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium. The Chargers defeated the 49ers 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. The Chargers defeated the 49ers 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Edge/Pass-Rusher

Players on Roster: Ahmad Brooks, Tank Carradine, Eli Harold, Corey Lemonier, Aaron Lynch, Marcus Rush

The 49ers pass rush was anemic in 2015 and ranked No. 29 in the league with just 28 sacks.

Outside linebackers Aaron Lynch and Ahmad Brooks led the defense with 6.5 sacks apiece, but Brooks may not be fitting into the Niners’ long-term plans given his hefty contract and the fact he’s been more of a liability and distraction over the last two seasons.

Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Tank Carradine (95) takes the field to play he Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Tank Carradine (95) takes the field to play he Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco will experiment with defensive end, turned OLB Tank Carradine this season. But the former second-round pick of the 49ers hasn’t exactly turned into the prolific pass-rusher for which the team had hoped.

And the same could be said of linebacker Corey Lemonier.

Second-year linebacker Eli Harold has the best shot out of these backup possibilities, but it remains to be seen whether or not he can be consistent enough of a player to make regular contributions here.

On the positive side of things, the 49ers defensive line looks good enough with a starting trio of nose tackle Ian Williams and defensive ends Arik Armstead and Quinton Dial locking down the defensive front.

But some depth at the ends, as well as some pass-rushing help from the edge/outside linebacker positions will be of utmost importance here.

If anything, the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos showcased what a dynamic pass rush can mean in today’s NFL. It’s a necessity the 49ers don’t currently have.

Next: No. 2: Offensive Line