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How a Switch to a 4-3 Defense Shakes Up the 49ers 2017 NFL Draft Plans

By Peter Panacy

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) congratulates defensive end Arik Armstead (91) for sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) congratulates defensive end Arik Armstead (91) for sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) throws the ball against San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner (99).Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY
Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) throws the ball against San Francisco 49ers defensive end DeForest Buckner (99).Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY /

Establishing What the 49ers Have

Matt Barrows’ piece on how the 49ers are, essentially, copying the Seahawks 4-3 defensive methodology.

Seattle utilizes a 4-3 with 3-4 personnel, based on the assessment, which is what San Francisco might have to do simply by default.

Aug 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Ian Williams (93) before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Nose Tackle

The nose tackle need is almost the same, and yet the 49ers still hurt here no matter what scheme they run. Ian Williams performed exceptionally well in this role back in 2015, but an ankle injury kept him out of last season and even forced his release (an injury settlement). Even if he comes back, Williams’ injury concerns are real.

Defensive tackle Quinton Dial has worked in this role before. But at 6-foot-5 and 318 pounds, he’s a bit too tall for this position. I don’t remember exactly where, but I recall Dial saying he prefers lining up on the ends rather than the nose.

Last year’s nose, Glenn Dorsey, is a free agent. And Mike Purcell likely isn’t the answer.

Defensive Tackle/End

This would probably be second-year pro DeForest Buckner’s role, lining up to the immediate right of the nose tackle. Fellow defensive tackle Arik Armstead could play this position, in theory, but he’s probably better suited to line up at the far left of the defensive front.

LEO Defensive End

Seattle’s defense incorporates what’s called a LEO defensive end, lining up on the far right of the D-line.

Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) stiff arms San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) during the third quarter at Levis Stadium Seahawks defeated the 49ers 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) stiff arms San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) during the third quarter at Levis Stadium Seahawks defeated the 49ers 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s the spot usually reserved for the team’s best edge rusher, in this case, current linebacker Aaron Lynch. But Lynch, in an suspension/injury-filled 2016 season, posted just 1.5 sacks last year.

Linebackers

In 4-3 schemes, defenses only have three linebackers — one middle (MIKE) and two outsiders (WILL and SAM).

NaVorro Bowman is the obvious choice for the MIKE. San Francisco could place Ray-Ray Armstrong in the WILL role, which is the weak side, and ask him to perform more coverage duties. He is a converted safety after all.

And this would leave Ahmad Brooks as the SAM, assuming the Niners don’t part ways with the aging and increasingly less-effective veteran this offseason.