Niner Noise
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Which 49ers legend would you want on the current roster?

By Akshaj Dwivedula

17 Dec 2000: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers is defended by Jerry Azumah of the Chicago Bears during their game at 3Comm Park in San Francisco, California. San Francisco went on to win 17-0. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/ALLSPORT
17 Dec 2000: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers is defended by Jerry Azumah of the Chicago Bears during their game at 3Comm Park in San Francisco, California. San Francisco went on to win 17-0. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/ALLSPORT /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 05: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field during player introductions for their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium on October 5, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Linebacker: Patrick Willis

Willis was the most dominant linebacker when he entered the league. He was an anomaly, a wrecking ball who broke most offenses during his time in the NFL. A testament to Willis’ talent is how, even though he retired young, he will most likely be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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He was that good.

The 49ers linebacking situation is not that good. It’s not terrible; Fred Warner has shown considerable flashes and Kwon Alexander, when healthy, is a game changer. But compared to the tag-team duo of Willis and now-retired linebacker NaVorro Bowman, it’s nothing to grin about.

Adding Willis at his prime to the linebacker unit would give the 49ers one of, if not the, best front sevens in the entire league. Willis’ addition works even better considering the shift from the 49ers former 4-3 scheme to the new Wide-9 scheme.

Under the Wide-9, the 49ers will be keeping three interchangeable linebackers. Shifting one of Alexander or Warner to the SAM makes that position that much stronger.

But again, linebacker inherently isn’t a high-impact position. Granted, a player like Willis can make it high impact. But if you want to put an all-time great back on your time, putting one at linebacker isn’t exactly the best way to go.