Niner Noise
FanSided

Why the 49ers neglected their pass-rush needs during the 2018 offseason

By Peter Panacy

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears is sacked by Elvis Dumervil #58 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 15-14. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears is sacked by Elvis Dumervil #58 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 15-14. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 26: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a sack against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 26: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a sack against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

2019 NFL Draft Is Deep with Pass-Rushers

Among the top edge-rushing names in the 2018 NFL Draft were NC State’s Bradley Chubb, UTSA’s Marcus Davenport and Boston College’s Harold Landry. Other than those, the class was pretty thin.

This won’t be the case in 2019. In fact, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller broke down just how special the 2019 draft class will be for high-profile pass-rushers:

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"Is it too soon to look ahead to the 2019 NFL draft class? Not if you talk to evaluators, coaches and agents. They are all already angling for what should be an epic class at a premier position—pass-rusher. Scouts and evaluators originally viewed the 2018 draft class as weak at the defensive end and defensive tackle positions, but in every conversation about Bradley Chubb or Maurice Hurst or other pass-rushers in this year’s class, each evaluator undoubtedly points to next year’s class with big eyes and unguarded excitement."

Names like Ohio State’s Nick Bosa, Michigan’s Rashan Gary, Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell (really anyone from Clemson’s defensive line this year) and Alabama’s Anfernee Jennings are all players to watch here.

We’ll undoubtedly see more between now and the 2019 NFL Draft.

So that’s what the 49ers are looking at. They’re not panicking and worrying about their pass-rush woes, then scrambling for an overpriced or reached-at short-term option.

No, they’re tabling the pass-rushing needs for next year.

Next: Early bubble-watch projections for the 49ers in 2018

Meanwhile, let’s all hope the rest of the defensive cast, as well as the offense, can shoulder the load enough to shoot for the playoffs this season.