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2017 NFL Draft: Five Biggest Questions for 49ers

By Logan Stanley

Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Taco Charlton (33) rushes the passer against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Taco Charlton (33) rushes the passer against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: How Will the 49ers Address LEO?

To put in blunt terms, the San Francisco rush defense in 2016 was horrendous. Third-worst in NFL history, actually. Injuries played a factor, but they were not the sole catalyst behind a season-long abysmal performance.

Even with this being said, the 49ers are close to constructing a front seven that could be terrorizing for years to come. With young pieces like DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead already on the defensive line, there is potential to create a dominant front.

In the new 4-3 scheme set to be implemented by defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, San Francisco will most likely line up Armstead at left defensive end (LDE) and Buckner at left defensive tackle (LDT). Free-agent signing Earl Mitchell will occupy the middle of the line at right defensive tackle/nose tackle (RDT/NT).

The next position, the left defensive end (referred to as LEO), is the most important one on the defensive line: it is where the 49ers line up their best pass-rusher.

Here’s Saleh on the LEO position and what he looks for (h/t Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee):

"I’ll name some names that have been LEOs in the past, even if they haven’t been attached to this system. People who have been attached to this system, you’re looking at [former Seattle Seahawks DE] Chris Clemons, [Seattle Seahawks DE] Cliff Avril, [Jacksonville Jaguars DE] Yannick Ngakoue, [Jacksonville Jaguars DE] Dante Fowler, [Atlanta Falcons LB] Vic Beasley. People outside of the system, you’d look at [Denver Broncos LB] Von Miller, [Oakland Raiders DE] Khalil Mack. Back in his heyday, [former 49ers LB] Charles Haley would have been a guy that would have been a LEO."

And this year’s draft class features a batch of top-tier edge rushers. Will the 49ers be looking for a true, pure pass-rusher? Or more of a hybrid-mix, one that can switch between pass-rusher and linebacker duties?

Michigan’s Taco Charlton, Tennessee’s Derek Barnett, Missouri’s Charles Harris and Wisconsin’s T.J. Watt are some of the top names to look at. Sleepers like Youngstown State’s Derek Rivers and Eastern Washington’s Samson Ebukam are some late-round names to keep note of.