San Francisco 49ers’ To-Do List in the 2017 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
Find Pass-Rushers and an Elite EDGE
In Robert Saleh’s base defense, the LEO — traditionally a right defensive end in a 4-3 scheme — is featured as the team’s best pass-rusher.
San Francisco 49ers
Right now, that job goes to linebacker Aaron Lynch. But Lynch had just 1.5 sacks last year after being suspended four games and winding up dealing with a late-season ankle injury. He’s on the hot seat entering 2016, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see the 49ers move on from him after this season.
That leaves edge rushers Eli Harold and Tank Carradine.
Harold may still have some promise, but Carradine has been a total bust ever since the Niners took him in Round 2 back in 2013. The only good stretch of football he’s had was a brief three-sack-in-three-game performance in 2014 and a good 2016 preseason.
Maybe, just maybe, the switch to a 4-3 (Carradine operated in this scheme at Florida State) lights a fire and saves Carradine’s career. But let’s not hold our collective breath.
Fortunately, this year’s draft is stocked pretty deep with edge rushers. Sure, Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett is garnering all the attention. But Tennessee’s Derek Barnett is pretty good too. The same goes with Alabama’s Tim Williams.
Remember, a defensive back is only as good as the pass rush allows him to be.