Niner Noise
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Niner Noise’s post-2019 NFL Combine 49ers roundtable

By Jeremy Wohlfart

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on prior to the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on prior to the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 30: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #20 of the Washington Redskins takes a knee against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 30: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix #20 of the Washington Redskins takes a knee against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at FedExField on December 30, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

No. 5: What’s the 49ers’ biggest priority in free agency, an EDGE or a safety?

Tim Miller

It’s amazing how much better a good pass rush makes makes the defensive backfield look. EDGE is 1A, while safety is 1B.

Akshaj Dwivedula

Do I have to choose? I’d say that the biggest issue with the Niner defense was the mistakes deep. A good free safety solves that. Still tough to choose.

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Matt Stephenson

EDGE slightly pips safety in importance during free agency. While the 49ers have have added another pass-rusher, they still need to chase after a safety given last year’s poor performance.

Peter Panacy

I’m always a believer a good pass rush helps alleviate a questionable secondary. That said, there are far more quality pass-rushers in the draft than safeties, and first-year defensive backs tend to struggle early on transitioning to NFL ranks. It’s better to get proven experience for the backfield, so a free-agent safety should be the bigger need out of the gate.

Jeremy Wohlfart

While both are areas of need, the defensive line helps set the tone for the secondary. Not the other way around. What I mean by this is, if you have a poor pass rush, the defensive backs will suffer no matter how good they are because quarterbacks have all time to throw.

Pass rush is the higher priority.